IMMIGRATION EVALUATIONS
There are a variety of reasons and scenarios when immigration evaluations are needed.
I provide immigration psychological evaluation services for individuals, attorneys, immigrant rights organizations, and nonprofits.
My goal is to provide a time-efficient yet professionally thorough mental health assessment that can be utilized by courts, adoptions agencies, social services, or private attorneys.
FAQ
How many sessions will I need to attend to complete my evaluation?
The telehealth evaluation consists of two-to-three meetings, each one lasts two hours and involves a clinical interview and psychological assessment. Some evaluations might require one or two additional meetings.
Do you work with interpreters?
Yes, I work with interpreters on a regular basis. Please keep in mind that clients are responsible for finding and bringing an interpreter to the appointment.
Do I need to bring anything with me to the appointment?
Most of the time, bringing a copy of your medical or legal records can be very helpful. We can discuss this at the time of the evaluation. However, it is not a requirement to complete the process.
How much does the evaluation cost?
I charge $800-1,200 for immigration evaluations. This includes a clinical interview, a records review, and a comprehensive report that I send to your attorney. I charge an additional hourly fee if asked to testify in immigration court.
Do I have to pay the full amount at the time of the appointment?
I require a minimum payment of $300 at the time of the appointment. You can pay the remainder at a later date, however, the report is sent to the attorney (or to you) when the fee is fully paid.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept money orders, PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App.
What is the report like?
After the interview, I write a comprehensive (typically 8 to 15 pages) report outlining your personal (family, educational, medical, etc.) history and any mental health diagnoses. I might also include medical or legal records that are relevant to your case.
How quickly will you have the report ready after our appointment?
I typically send reports to attorneys (or directly to clients, when applicable) within 10-15 business days after meeting with the client.
Do you see clients in immigration (ICE) detention?
No, at the present time I am not available to meet with clients in immigration detention centers.
Do you see children?
Yes, I provide immigration evaluations for children and adolescents, as long as they are able to complete sessions virtually.
Can I continue therapy with you after the evaluation?
I cannot provide therapy after completing an evaluation. However, in cases where a client I see for an evaluation expresses interest in therapy, I can make referrals to mental health professionals in their area.
If I am seeing a therapist, can she or he write me a letter?
Yes, they can certainly write a letter describing any mental health conditions and, where applicable, I will include these in my report. However, treating providers are not generally trained to write reports for legal audiences, particularly for immigration court, and therefore often do not know how to adequately address the legal questions at hand. In addition, treating providers typically are not familiar with and able to cite literature on the psychological impact of deportation and family separation.
What training have you received to do these evaluations?
I have received training by the Immigration Evaluation Institute. I have also trained as a trauma therapist and completed immigration evaluations during one of most impactful ICE raids in the last 10 years in Mississippi.
Questions? Ready to Talk?
If you are interested in arranging a mental health assessment, please use the email or phone number below, or the contact form on this website.