Kristin Venables, PhD, ABPP-CN, brings over a decade of dedicated expertise in Clinical Neuropsychology to the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology. Following her educational pursuits, she completed a comprehensive residency at the esteemed Medical College of Wisconsin. Since starting her practice in 2012, Dr. Venables is committed to providing compassionate and specialized care, utilizing her extensive background to assess and address the complexities of neurological conditions.
Dr. Venables’ journey into clinical neuropsychology was inspired by a profound curiosity about the intricate relationship between the brain and behavior. With a passion for investigation, she finds joy in the process of unraveling complex neurological puzzles. One defining aspect of her career is the ability to translate her expertise into tangible improvements for patients. Dr. Venables shares in the victories of her patients, where she leverages their unique history and comprehensive test results to provide insightful explanations for changes in cognitive functioning and behavior. These moments not only bring satisfaction to her, but also empower patients and their families with the knowledge to navigate and enhance their quality of life. Her special medical interests encompass a broad spectrum–from mild cognitive impairment and dementia to stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, other conditions affecting cognitive functioning, and aviation neuropsychology.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Venables leads a rich and balanced life outside the clinic. Her intellectual curiosity extends to her contributions in professional journal publications, covering diverse topics such as reward-related decision-making deficits among drug users, as well as the effects of insulin on brain activity. In her personal life, Dr. Venables finds joy in simple pleasures—spending quality time with her family and friends, walking her German shepherd dog, and immersing herself in the worlds created by books. A blend of athleticism and grace, she was a dancer from childhood through high school and recently reignited her passion for ballet through regular practice.
Dr. Venables’ commitment to holistic well-being extends beyond her professional practice, as she advocates for the transformative power of a healthy lifestyle. Passionate about exercise and its impact on physical and mental health, she prioritizes daily physical activity and practices good sleep hygiene to fuel her energy for the demands of her busy schedule. Recognizing the inevitability of stress, Dr. Venables turns to a blend of exercise, quality sleep, yoga, and meditation to navigate life’s challenges. Her approach to nutrition emphasizes a balanced Mediterranean diet, although she cherishes indulging in less healthy foods that bring genuine joy at times. This personal philosophy aligns seamlessly with her choice to work at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, where she finds fulfillment in assisting patients with a diverse array of neurological conditions, influencing cognitive functioning.
I’m very glad Dr. Veen was easy to talk to, seemed very in tuned with what I was saying (an active listener), and didn’t bowl me over with why I was wrong or why she knew so much more (which she does) than me. She let me share my anxiety and then set about describing how “we” were going to tackle diagnosing and treating whatever we found. That was encouraging to me even though some of the discussion was very much anxiety generating. Dr. Veen answered all of our questions and was so comfortable talking to her. She really listened to what we had to say. This was my first time doing a telemedicine appointment and it was very easy and the doctor was as complete as could be without physical interaction. Because of Covid, we had to make appt for a phone visit. We were a little skeptical of this but everything went good. All questions were addressed and a follow up was discussed. Dr. Veen as always gets an A+. I was particularly impressed that the providers came to the waiting room for their patients and escorted them to their offices. Dr Veen gets max points for listening to everything I had to say, seeking my input and developing a mutual plan for next steps. Kudos! Dr. Veen is excellent. I do recommender her to friends!!