Referring a Patient to the FND Program
Referral eligibility, required records, exclusionary criteria, and instructions
Before You Refer
Our clinic provides treatment for adults with functional seizures and functional movement disorders. We are not a diagnostic clinic. Patients must meet the diagnostic requirements below before referral.
Functional Seizures (FS)
Patients must meet one of the following:
Confirmed: Typical event captured on video-EEG and diagnosed as a functional seizure.
Probable: Normal interictal EEG and typical event video reviewed by an FND neurologist. Video determined to be consistent with FND.
Required: Neurology records (brain imaging, clinical notes etc.) and EEG report. For probable FS, submit the event video through the patient video upload portal.
Functional Movement Disorders (FMD)
Established diagnosis required
We accept patients with positive motor symptoms of FND, including functional tremors, tics, jerking movements, and gait abnormalities. Functional weakness or paralysis alone is not currently accepted. Patients with mixed presentations (e.g., functional tremor or tics alongside weakness or paralysis) may still be eligible.
Required: Neurologist evaluation and records supporting the FMD diagnosis. Functional weakness or paralysis is not currently accepted
How to Refer a Patient
Internal Referrals
UCHealth / CU Anschutz
1. Place FND referral order set in Epic "AMBULATORY REFERRAL TO AMC NEURO FUNCTIONAL CONVERSION."
2. Specify FND as the reason for referral.
3. Include relevant diagnostic records.
External Referrals
Outside UCHealth
1. Complete referral form
2. Specify FND as the reason for referral
3. Attach supporting records (brain imaging, EEG, neurology workup)
4. Fax to the clinic
Program Eligibility Considerations
The CU FND Program provides short-term, multidisciplinary outpatient care. The following factors may affect eligibility for the program:
Insurance coverage: We are unable to accept referrals for patients whose insurance is not accepted by CU Medicine. View accepted insurance plans.
Substance use treatment: Patients with an active substance use disorder may need to establish care with substance use treatment services before participating in the FND program.
Primary symptom of functional weakness or paralysis: We are not currently able to accept patients whose primary FND symptoms are functional weakness or paralysis.
Acute behavioral health needs: Patients with a recent suicide attempt or current inpatient psychiatric hospitalization may need to establish ongoing individual behavioral health care and achieve greater stability before participating in the program.
Additional Considerations for Program Participation
The primary treatment offered through our program is group-based. Depending on an individual's needs and available resources, additional considerations may be necessary to determine whether our current treatment model is an appropriate fit. These may include:
Cognitive or intellectual support needs that require a level of individualized care beyond what our group-based model can provide.
Language access needs when interpretation or other language supports are not available within the program.
Complex psychosocial or care coordination needs that may require additional services or supports beyond the scope of our program.
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. These considerations do not automatically preclude participation in every circumstance. If you have questions about whether a patient may be appropriate for the program, please contact our clinic to discuss their referral.
Questions?
Contact the FND Clinic Program Manager for referral questions or diagnostic eligibility clarification at [email protected]
Provider Resources
Online Courses (Vetted)
Webinars
- Our past webinar regarding NES – along with the presentation, seizure action plan and resources
- Non-Epileptic Seizures Webinar: An Introduction for patients and loved ones by Dr. Lorna Myers – A video that discusses psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) including, definition, diagnosis, psychological symptoms, and treatment options.
Educational Videos & Channels
- FND Hope YouTube Channel – contains videos about FND that highlight campaigns for FND awareness, stories from real people, and information from conferences
- FND Australia – educational videos about FND, definition, causes, the process of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, and the possibility to have FND and another disorder
- Self Managing Your FND – contains videos related to self-managing FND symptoms
Professional Networks
- FND Hope – An international patient-run registered charity for patients with functional neurological disorders. Material for patients with functional neurological disorders, like symptoms, providers, research, and stories.
- Psychological Non Epileptic Seizures – patient consumer information, public and professional education website on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Two sections, one for PNES community (patients and loved ones) and one for health professionals seeking reliable information.
- FND Guide – Functional Neurological disorder more information about symptoms, causes, treatment, and stories along with videos.
Peer & Community Support
- English & Spanish versions of the booklet contain information on what FND is and the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for FND. Also contains tips and techniques patients have shared to help manage or cope with FND.
Local and Specialty Referrals
- Visual overview of patient progression from neurology intake to behavioral health follow-up
- Fillable PDF for individualized patient support plans
- Sample completed version for training purposes
- Tip sheet for families and caregivers to respond calmly during symptoms
Treatment Modalities Commonly Used for FND
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT0
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies
- Biofeedback
- MoRe Treatment (Motor Reprogramming)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy
- Talking Point Suggestions for Explaining NES – Clear, validating language for discussing functional seizures with patients
- FND Support Suggestions – Tip sheet for families and caregivers to respond calmly during symptoms
- Symptom Response Plan – Example dialogue for educating patients and support networks
General Overview of FND
- Clarifies misconceptions and reframes FND as a common, brain-based condition rather than a diagnosis of exclusion.
- Practical guide for identifying positive signs and communicating the diagnosis effectively.
- Comprehensive review of multidisciplinary treatment models and coordinated care strategies.
- Classic overview describing clinical presentation, patient communication, and diagnostic reasoning.
- Summarizes the biopsychosocial model linking neurocircuit, psychological, and environmental contributors.
Discipline-Specific Consensus & Practice Guidelines
- Defines assessment and rehabilitation principles for OT within a biopsychosocial framework.
- Speech-language pathology consensus on treatment for FND-related communication and swallowing issues.
- Reviews diagnostic features, internal inconsistency, and behavioral interventions for cognitive subtypes
Neuroscience & Neuropsychological Perspectives
- Explores emotion-motor network dysregulation and neuroimaging evidence across FND subtypes.
- Foundational review describing misdiagnosis patterns, psychosocial factors, and early treatment strategies.
- Updated literature synthesis on prognosis, comorbidity, and management approaches.
- Examines cognitive-emotional mechanisms underlying PNES and functional symptom expression.
Treatment Workbooks
- Overcoming Functional Neurological Symptoms – Self-guided workbook, do NOT need behavioral health provider.
- Taking Control of Your Seizures (NOTE: can work for all FND symptoms) – Used with a behavioral health provider, there is a provider and patient workbook. This is the patient workbook.
- Reset & Rewire: The FND Workbook for Kids & Teens – Can also be helpful for adults.
Professional & Provider Well-Being
- Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others – Managing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue.
- The Body Keeps the Score – Classic text connecting trauma, physiology, and treatment.
Books Written by Individuals with FND