- Has your attorney told you you need a psychological evaluation for your immigration case?
- Are you searching for a comprehensive psychological evaluation to strengthen your USCIS application?
- With all mental health professionals, how do you know which professional evaluator to use?
- Do you know someone in need of assistance?
- Are you currently working with a client in need of assistance?
- Has your attorney recommended a Psychological Evaluation for Immigration purposes?
- Want to learn more about services?
Immigration Evaluations In America
You’re here for a reason and you are not alone
Those seeking refuge in the United States have often experienced significant trauma and other painful life events. Immigration court can feel overwhelming and frightening after having lived experiences with circumstances such as interpersonal violence, exploitation, political oppression, or persecution. Threat of deportation or pursuing legal status in the U.S. can be an intimidating and complicated process.
A Immigration Psychological Evaluation is a mental health assessment completed by licensed mental health providers to help individuals resolve their immigration status. These evaluations are largely conducted by interview although may involve administering assessment measures to help obtain additional information when needed. Immigration evaluations are an important part of each case, as they explain any mental health conditions or diagnoses, relevant history, and the long-term mental health implications related to the individual’s immigration status.
The right document can change your life.
A strong immigration psychological evaluation can be a critical component for your case to immigration court, and to obtaining the documentation that you need to remain lawfully in the United States.
Data shows that a psychological evaluation can be a strong piece of evidence to aid in having a favorable outcome. My decades of experience as an LMSW allows me to understand the specifics of your case and the factors unique to your situation. I will meet with you to gather information about your history and immigration status to produce a comprehensive report informed from a trauma-focused mental health perspective. It is important to me that you feel safe and supported throughout the evaluation process. I have an extensive background in working with individuals with histories of trauma and have received specialized training in the completion of immigration evaluations for immigration court. I would be happy to talk with you more about your specific needs and how a psychological evaluation might help support your case.
I offer immigration psychological evaluations for the following types of cases:
Asylum
Individuals seeking asylum due to abuse based upon political beliefs, ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation Individuals seeking asylum due to abuse based upon political beliefs, ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation
Extreme Hardship Waivers
A U.S. citizen or resident applying for a waiver due to the extreme hardship for themselves or family that will be incurred due to the deportation of a family member.
T-Visa
Victims of human trafficking (and immediate family members) who are assisting law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of traffickers.
U-Visa
Victims of violent crimes in the U.S. who are assisting law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the criminal activity.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Individuals (men and women) who have experienced intimate partner violence by their U.S. Citizen spouse.
Mental Health evaluations strengthen and enhance your USCIS petition and tell your story.
Psychological/Mental Health evaluations strengthen an immigration case by providing mental health assessments to document conditions such as PTSD or other symptoms. These evaluations help to tell an immigrant's story and to document the "invisible scars" of traumatic experiences.
Significant research has been conducted on the effectiveness of immigration evaluations and how they can strengthen a legal case.
In a 2022 article "The Critical Role of Psychological Evaluations for Asylum Seekers" by Latina Republic, author Adriana Pérez states, "According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, asylum cases with psychological evaluations were 89% successful, contrasting the 37.5% national average without one."
The Physicians for Human Rights released a study in 2021 that indicated "Immigrants Who Obtained Forensic Medical Evaluations [Are] Much More Likely to Be Granted Asylum or Other Relief in United States."
Scholarly research in the Journal of Forensic Medicine expands on the "Impact of Forensic Medical Evaluations on Immigration Relief Grant Rates and Correlates of Outcomes in the United States". The study states that "the forensic medical evaluation provides crucial evidence of persecution/harm in individuals seeking immigration relief.
Questions/FAQ’s
What can I expect from an evaluation?
What is a Psychological Evaluation for Immigration?
Also called a Mental Health Evaluation, this is a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of your current emotional state and/or active stressors that may be impacting your current emotional state, and risk factors that could worsen your current state in the face of unwanted immigration-related outcomes.
As a mental health therapist for over 20 years, I have provided thousands of mental health assessments. I specialize in Complex Trauma and work through a trauma-focused and strengths-based lens with an emphasis on reducing harm. My experience has brought me into the lives of multiple client populations, from multiple socio-economic backgrounds and with ancestral strengths that often go unnoticed and undocumented.
What are the steps involved in the Evaluation Process?
Step 1: You or your attorney contact Laurie at Resilience Coach, LLC
Step 2: I agree to take your case
Step 3: Two interviews are scheduled and payment is taking at time of scheduling
Step 4: I complete the psychological evaluation within 2-3 weeks
Step 5: The draft report is delivered to the client and the attorney
Step 6: The client and attorney review and offer changes as needed
Step 7: Final draft is completed, delivered to client and the attorney and final payment has been made
How can I work with you?
I currently offer Virtual Assessments for your convenience. Because of Licensure mandates, I offer evaluations to clients who are located and need assistance in the State of Michigan.
How do I schedule an appointment?
I currently complete evaluations on Mondays and Fridays. Some evening and weekend hours may be available on a case-by-case basis. An interview typically last 2-4 hours and is split into 2 2-hour sessions, preferably, once weekly. Occasionally, a 3rd and follow-up appointment may be needed to ensure accuracy. Please note that completing the pre-interview paperwork and screening tools may require assistance and typically takes approximately one hour of your time or less, depending.
How much does an immigration evaluation cost? And what is included?
Evaluation packages cost between $1200-1500. Reduced prices are available for those with economic hardship and payment plans are available. These costs include any communication with you and your attorney before your evaluation, 2-3 hours of clinical evaluation, and extensive written evaluation, reviewed with you, and your attorney, as needed, and a follow up visit to ensure completion and support.
Payment is welcome in full prior to online evaluation or half payment when booking and half payment on the day of the initial assessment or upon completion of written report. Credit or debit card payment is accepted via my online payment portal. Please note that final written report can not be submitted to your attorney until payment is received in full.
What else might I need to know?
Psychological Evaluations significantly strengthen immigration cases. Often, it can offer a more personalized picture of the individual and allows clients to share their stories in a more comprehensive and individualized way. Each human has a story and I can help you share yours!
What if I don't speak English?
Professional interpretation services are available upon request for an additional fee.