Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP founded Pinehurst Neuropsychology in November 2013. She is a Clinical Psychologist with specialty training in Clinical Neuropsychology and is licensed in the state of North Carolina and 39 other states through PSYPACT. Prior to establishing her practice in Pinehurst, Dr. Sullivan served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She earned her doctoral degree from Boston University in 2009 and completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System through joint training with Harvard Medical School and the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Sullivan is Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Sullivan also currently serves as the Inaugural Reid Healthcare Transformation Fellow through The Foundation of FirstHealth, where she led The Engaged Brains Project—a one-year community volunteer initiative advancing dementia inclusion and person-centered care across Moore County, North Carolina.

Her goal is to help people understand the impact of their brain health on everyday functioning and to provide genuinely helpful recommendations. Dr. Sullivan has extensive training and clinical experience in the brain health of older adults to determine if someone is experiencing normal cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment or one of the dementia subtypes.

She is also the creator of I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN with Dr. Sullivan and was awarded the 2017 LeadingAge North Carolina Excellence in Collaboration Award for the development of this evidence-based educational series. You can also find her on YouTube, as the most followed neuropsychologist in the world.

Why People Come to See Dr. Sullivan

Most people come to see Dr. Sullivan because something about their thinking or memory doesn’t feel quite right and they want to understand what’s happening before it gets worse. Some have noticed new forgetfulness or difficulty focusing. Others are worried by changes in language, problem solving, or daily functioning. Many come because a spouse, child, or physician suggested it was time for answers.

What they share in common is a desire for clarity, compassion, and a plan. They’re tired of brief appointments, opinions that don't consider the big picture, and medical jargon. They want to talk with someone who truly listens, who can explain what’s happening in plain language, and who can connect the dots between brain changes and everyday life.

Dr. Sullivan provides evidence-based neuropsychological evaluations for older adults that combine scientific precision with genuine care. Her goal is to help patients and families move from confusion to understanding and from fear to a clear, personalized path forward.

Here, you’ll find answers, understanding, and a plan delivered with the expertise of a board-certified neuropsychologist and the warmth of a trusted partner in your brain health journey.