Immigration Evaluations
I provide professional, compassionate mental health evaluations to support various types of immigration cases. These evaluations are confidential, trauma-informed, and designed to help immigration officials understand the emotional and psychological impact of your experiences. Each report is tailored to your unique story and written with care to support your case.
Here are the types of evaluations I offer:
● VAWA (Violence Against Women Act): For individuals who have experienced abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or partner. This evaluation highlights how the abuse has affected your mental health.
● T Visa: For survivors of human trafficking. We explore how your experiences have impacted your emotional well-being and provide a supportive report for your T visa application.
● U Visa: For victims of certain crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement. The evaluation explains the psychological effects of the trauma to support your case.
● Asylum: For individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries. This evaluation documents the emotional and psychological toll of your past experiences and why returning would cause further harm.
● Hardship Waiver: For U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose relative is at risk of removal. This evaluation shows how their deportation would cause extreme emotional hardship to you or your family member.
These evaluations are not therapy sessions—they are focused, one-time assessments to help strengthen your immigration application with a professional mental health report.
What to expect during the evaluation process:
Consultation/Booking:
Prior to the evaluation, I provide a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to explore how I can support your needs. After that, we can arrange interview appointments, which can take place via telehealth (video) or in person (currently only available in Brea, CA). Consent forms will be sent for completion before the scheduled interview. This service is available for T-Visa, U-Visa, VAWA, Asylum, and Extreme Hardship cases.
Evaluation Interview:
This stage involves a single interview lasting around 2.5 to 3 hours. Alternatively, we can divide it into two sessions of approximately 1.5 hours each. During our time together, I will create a supportive and welcoming environment where I’ll ask a series of questions designed to help you share your story in depth. This allows me to gather the necessary details to complete a thorough evaluation for your application.
Report:
After the interview is finished, I typically deliver the report to your attorney or legal representative within approximately 12 business days. If you are self-represented, the report will be securely provided to you within the same timeframe. For clients using a payment plan, the report will be released once the full balance has been paid. Expedited reports are available for an additional fee and depend on the therapist’s availability. Please be sure to communicate any deadlines or time-sensitive needs when scheduling your appointment.
Qualifications of the evaluator:
I am a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California, fluent in both Spanish and English. For over 8 years, I have provided mental health services to children, adults, and families from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. My clinical experience includes conducting diagnostic assessments and delivering therapeutic support for individuals impacted by trauma, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and other significant life stressors. I am well-versed in utilizing evidence-based assessment tools and mental health measures to inform both diagnosis and treatment planning.
I have specialized training in conducting mental health immigration evaluations, which allows me to prepare detailed, culturally competent reports that meet legal and professional standards for various immigration cases, including Asylum, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, and Extreme Hardship waivers.
My approach is trauma-informed, ensuring that every client is met with empathy, safety, and respect throughout the evaluation process. I have also completed Suicide Intervention (SI) training, which enhances my ability to assess and respond to clients at risk with the highest level of care and responsibility.
Required Documents and Information for a Mental Health Immigration Evaluation
To help ensure a thorough and supportive evaluation, please prepare and provide the following:
1. Client’s Personal Statement / Detailed Personal Story
A detailed account describing your experiences, background, and any hardships relevant to your immigration case.
Include as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing, especially events or circumstances that relate to your mental and emotional health.
This narrative helps build a clear picture of your situation and supports the clinical evaluation.
2. Mental Health Questionnaires and Measures
You will be asked to complete a set of standardized mental health screening tools sent by the therapist.
These tools help assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional concerns relevant to your evaluation.
3. Identification and Legal Documentation
A copy of a valid photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license).
Copies of police reports made if applicable.
4. Consent Forms
These will be provided prior to your interview and must be signed to proceed with the evaluation.
Important Reminder About Safety and Support
Sharing your story can be difficult, especially when it involves painful or traumatic experiences. Please know that this is a judgment-free space. The therapist is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and compassionate environment throughout the process. You are in control of what you share, and your emotional well-being will be prioritized at every step.