Neuropsychologist at the Aita Menni Day Care Centres for people with neurological disorders in San Sebastián, Mondragón and the Outpatient Facility of the Brain Injury Service in San Sebastián
I have always been interested in the neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological aspects of acquired brain injury (ABI) and have been treating ABI sufferers since 1992. Soon after our Service was established, we organised two training groups together with doctor Peter Eames and doctor Juan Manuel Muñoz-Céspedes, which led to a deeper knowledge of the fundamental aspects in the assessment and rehabilitation of ABI patients.
I believe we, along with other teams, family associations, and universities, are trying to improve rehabilitation services and create new healthcare options for patients and their families. Our project is being developed in a non-profit organisation by a most committed team and according to honest work models, which makes my job even more rewarding.
Academic background
– Psychologist. Pontifical University of Salamanca. 1980-1985.
– Clinical Psychology Specialist, under Royal Decree 2490/98. General University Department. 2004.
– Speech and Language Psychology Specialist. Pontifical University of Salamanca. 1987-1989.
– Couple and Family Counselling Therapist. College of Psychologists of Castile-León. 1983-1985.
Publications
– I. Urrutikoetxea. “Alteraciones de la comunicación e intervención logopédica tras un traumatismo craneoencefálico,” in C. Pelegrín. et al., Neuropsiquiatría del daño cerebral traumático. Aspectos clínicos y terapéuticos, Barcelona, J.R. Prous, 1997, 319-330.
– J.M. Muñoz-Céspedes, I. Ugarteburu, and I. Urrutikoetxea. “Evaluación neuropsicológica de las lesiones cerebrales postraumáticas,” in A. Bulbena Vilarrasa et al., Medición clínica en Psiquiatría y Psicología, Barcelona, Masson, 2000, 323-334.
– M.J. Ruiz, C. Medina, I. Urrutikoetxea, O. García, T. Muela, and V. Sánchez. Modelo de centro de día para personas con daño cerebral adquirido, Madrid, Imserso, 2007.
– I. Urrutikoetxea, M. Bermúdez and A. Fernández de Corres. “Intervención logopédica en las alteraciones de la comunicación consecutivas a daño cerebral adquirido,” Boletín de la Asociación Española de Logopedia y Fonoaudiología (AELFA), 3, 1999, 5-10.
– J.M. Muñoz-Céspedes, M. García, I. Iruarrizaga, and I. Urrutikoetxea. “La conciencia de los déficit en la rehabilitación de las personas con un daño cerebral,” Ansiedad y Estrés, 5, 1999, 313-325.
– N. Ojeda del Pozo, J.I. Quemada, J.A. Ezquerra, I. Urrutikoetxea, and J.M. Muñoz-Céspedes. “Entrenamiento en habilidades sociales en pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido,” Revista de Neurología, 2000, 783-787.
– I. Urrutikoetxea. “Alteraciones de la articulación en personas con daño cerebral,” MAPFRE MEDICINA, 12(1), 2001, 71-76.
– J.I. Quemada, J.M. Muñoz-Céspedes, J.M. Ezkerra, J. Ballesteros, N. Ibarra, and I. Urrutikoetxea. “Outcome of Memory Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury Assessed by Neuropsychological Tests and Questionnaires,” Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. Focus on Clinical Research and Practice, Part 3, 18(6), November/December 2003, 532-540.
– E. Martos García and I. Urrutikoetxea Sarriegi. “Disfunciones sexuales en personas con daño cerebral adquirido,” FEATECE, 14, 2004, 8-9.
– I. Urrutikoetxea and N. Lertxundi. “La problemática del daño cerebral adquirido: respuestas asistenciales en la C.A.V. ofrecidas desde el Hospital Aita Menni,” Euskonews & Media, 257, 2004. Euskonews & Media is a weekly updated online publication on Basque science and culture developed by Eusko Ikaskuntza, Society of Basque Studies.
Teaching activities
University of Deusto (UD)
– Neuropsychological Assessment. Professor. 2003-2004, 2006-2007.
– Clinical Psychology. Professor at the Master’s Programme. 1992-present.
University of Mondragón (UM)
– Language Pathology. Professor. 2003-2010.
Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPS)
– Psychology and Speech-Language Therapy. Professional practice tutor.
University of the Basque Country (UPV)
– Psychology. Professional practice tutor.
Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)
– Psychology. Professional practice tutor.
National University of Distance Education (UNED)
– Psychology. Professional practice tutor.
Ministry of Education and Science (MEC)
– Tutor in the psychology residency programme.
Courses, conferences, seminars
– “Acquired brain damage rehabilitation: a multidisciplinary approach.” Speaker. 3rd Scientific Meeting on Disabled People. Symposium on People with Severe Deficits. Institute of Migration and Social Services, Salamanca. 2000.
– “New tools to assess the independence level of outpatients in activities of daily living.” Clinical session. Aita Menni Hospital, Mondragón. 2000.
– “Neuropsychological assessment.” Clinical session. Aita Menni Hospital, Mondragón. 2001.
– “Brain injury rehabilitation services.” Lecture. School of Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy Programme, University of Málaga, Málaga. 2002.
– “The rehabilitation team’s responsibility in treating patients with behaviour problems.” Clinical session. Aita Menni Hospital, Mondragón. 2002.
– “2+2=8.” Clinical session. Aita Menni Hospital, Mondragón. 2002.
– “Neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation of children with acquired brain injury.” Seminar for the Álava Berritzegune. Aita Menni Hospital, Mondragón. 2003.
– “Memory and alcohol: Neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation.” Seminar for the Mental Health Centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Vitoria-Gasteiz, 2004.
– I. Urrutikoetxea, V. Hueso, et al. “Forensic neuropsychology in acquired brain injury.” Seminar. College of Psychologists of Bilbao. 2006.
– “Behaviour problems in patients suffering from acquired brain injury.” IZA Residence. Donostia-San Sebastián. 2007.
– I. Urrutikoetxea and I. Sánchez Cubillo. “Training in Neuropsychology: Acquired brain injury.” 12-hour seminar. College of Psychologists of Galicia. Ourense. 2010.
Hobbies and interests
I spend most of my leisure time with my family and friends.
Additional information
– Member of the College of Psychologists of Álava.
– Founding member of the Basque-Navarre Society of Neuropsychology (SVNPS).
– Member of the Spanish Neurorehabilitation Society (SENR).
– Member of the Spanish Society of Speech and Language Therapy, Phoniatrics, and Audiology.
