Submit a form in the Contact section of this website to schedule an evaluation appointment. Typically clients can be scheduled within 1-2 weeks.

An immigration psychological evaluation is a report written by a therapist who has done a clinical assessment of someone in immigration proceedings. The report is used by the individual’s lawyers as part of their immigration case.

Evaluations are not therapy and services are completed once the report is submitted.

A well-written and comprehensive psychological evaluation can provide objective evidence of psychological effects of trauma, abuse, or potential separation. While an individual’s circumstances are necessary for immigration proceedings, often it can be difficult for someone to understand or even share their story without the support of a clinical therapist.

In addition, the reports can provide expert opinion on: severity of harm, impact of harm, fear of returning to a home country, potential hardship from returning to a home country, and the need for ongoing care.

I typically meet with clients 1-2 times for a total of 2-3 hours. If needed, we will schedule more time. I charge a flat fee for the evaluations. I do not charge by the hour. It is more important to me that I obtain all the necessary information, even if that takes a little more time.

In most cases, the report is completed 2 weeks after the evaluation interview and once all documents have been received. For urgent cases: I can have the report completed in a few days for an expedited fee. If, for any reason, a case is expected to take longer, I will keep open and timely communication with you.

I am a bilingual, native Spanish speaker and can conduct interviews in both English and Spanish. All reports are completed only in English.

For clients who speak other languages besides English or Spanish, I can work with an interpreter to complete the evaluation interview. The interpreter’s fee is the client’s responsibility.

The fee for an immigration evaluation is $1,200 which includes the evaluation interview, the written report, communicating with your attorney, and any revisions requested by your attorney. I accept major credit cards.

As a courtesy to all clients, I send a copy directly to your attorney as well as a copy to you.

Payment plans are available.

Expedited evaluations are available for an additional fee of $500.

Payment plans are available and will need to be agreed upon before the first assessment interview.

You can divide the total fee into two payments. The first half is due before the first evaluation appointment and the remainder can be paid when the report is completed. Final payment is required prior to sending the report.

I am trained to see clients of all ages. I have worked with children and adolescents for over 10 years. My experience with children and families includes clinical work in public schools in Boston and a hospital on the South Side of Chicago.

I do not see clients for both therapy and immigration evaluation because it is considered unethical and it compromises a therapist’s objectivity. Providing both services to the client constitutes a dual relationship.

The APA (American Psychological Association) has the 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 shows that having an ongoing therapeutic relationship with the client does not have an effect on the outcome of their immigration evaluation case.

If requested, I provide clients with a list of resources and therapists in their area to receive ongoing therapy.