Helping
immigrant families stay together

Our clinicians conduct a clinical evaluation for the following types of cases:

• Waivers
• Cancellation of Removal
• Asylum, Withholding, and CAT
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)/Spousal Abuse
• U visas
• T visas

Yes! For over 20 years, we have worked exclusively with immigrants in a variety of settings and states. Our private practice is exclusively focused on immigration evaluations. We have worked with dozens of attorneys in the Washington DC metro area and beyond and have completed over 400 evaluations.

Additionally, we're known for opening the Immigration Evaluation Institute training other therapists how to do immigration evaluations.

Yes, our clinicians are trained to see clients of all ages with child-specific testing with a child-friendly therapy setting. We have worked in a pediatric clinic as well as a well-known private practice for children. 

A well-written psychological evaluation can provide objective evidence of the psychological effects of trauma, abuse, or potential familial separation.

In cases where the client experienced trauma, a clinician can help assess whether the findings of the evaluation corroborate the client’s story. In addition, a mental health clinician can provide their expert opinion on:

• severity of harm
• impact of harm
• fear of returning to the home county (asylum)
• hardship if returned to home country (VAWA & T visa)
• need for ongoing care

In asylum cases, a psychological evaluation can determine the consistency of psychological symptoms with the client’s history, and educate others about the effects of physical and psychological trauma and abuse, as well as explain behavior that makes the applicant appear not credible.

Yes! While the research in this subject is relatively new, it has shown that psychological evaluations can make a positive impact on the outcome of a case. In extreme hardship waiver cases, research has found that when an appeal included testimony from a mental health professional, applicants prevailed about half of the time; when such testimony was not included, applicants prevailed in only one out of three cases.

Testimony from a mental health professional was associated with favorable appeal outcomes, without regard to whether the professional had an ongoing relationship with the client.

Psychological evaluations can also significantly increase the likelihood that asylum will be granted. In 2015, a study of 540 asylum seekers found that 89%of those that received a psychological or medical evaluation were granted asylum in comparison with the national average of 48% for the same period.

We do not, as it is considered unethical and can compromise a clinician’s objectivity. Completing an evaluation and being the client’s therapist constitutes a dual relationship, regardless of the order in which it is done (therapy first or evaluation first). The APA (American Psychological Association) has the best, most concise statement on the matter:

“Providing forensic and therapeutic psychological services to the same individual or closely related individuals involves multiple relationships that may impair objectivity and/or cause exploitation or other harm.” (American Psychological Association 2013. Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. American Psychologist, January 2013.)

Research has shown that having an ongoing therapeutic relationship with the client does not have an effect on the outcome of their case.

We always provide clients with a list of resources and therapists near them should they wish to receive ongoing therapy.

Of course, we can always send a copy of the evaluation for the attorney to review and provide feedback.

Typically clients can be scheduled within 1-2 weeks.

In the case where an evaluation is needed sooner, we can expedite the evaluation for an additional fee.

In most cases, the report will be completed within 2 weeks after the final meeting with the client. This is provided that all additional documentation (such as school or medical records) has been received. The report will be completed after documentation and payment have been received.