What are immigration psychological evaluations?
An immigration psychological evaluation is a specialized mental health assessment that examines an individual's psychological history, current symptoms, functioning, and the impact of significant experiences that may be relevant to an immigration case.
At Still Waters Therapeutic Services, LLC, we provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive immigration psychological evaluations. The evaluation may document the psychological effects of trauma, abuse, persecution, family separation, human trafficking, or other circumstances relevant to an immigration matter.
A comprehensive evaluation can provide clinical evidence and documentation that may be relevant to an immigration case. It may also identify mental health symptoms or conditions and, when clinically appropriate, provide treatment recommendations.
An immigration psychological evaluation does not guarantee approval of a visa, green card, waiver, asylum application, or any other immigration benefit. The evaluation provides clinical information; immigration attorneys provide legal advice and representation, and the appropriate government agency or court makes the final decision.
Who might benefit from an immigration psychological evaluation?
Immigration psychological evaluations may be appropriate for individuals involved in several types of immigration cases, including:
Extreme Hardship Waivers & Cancellation of Removal
These evaluations examine the psychological and functional factors that may contribute to hardship for qualifying family members or other individuals relevant to the case.
Depending on the circumstances, the evaluation may consider mental health conditions, trauma history, medical or disability-related concerns, family relationships, educational or occupational circumstances, financial stressors, access to treatment or support, and conditions associated with relocation or prolonged family separation.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
VAWA evaluations may document the psychological effects of emotional, psychological, sexual, or physical abuse within a qualifying relationship.
The evaluation may examine symptoms commonly associated with domestic violence and trauma, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, fear, shame, isolation, and other psychological effects.
The evaluation may also provide clinical context for trauma responses and other dynamics that can affect how an individual describes or responds to experiences of abuse.
VAWA protections are available to qualifying individuals regardless of gender.
Asylum
Psychological evaluations for asylum cases may document the mental health effects of persecution, violence, torture, or other traumatic experiences.
The evaluation may also explore psychological factors that could affect an individual's ability to recall, describe, or discuss traumatic experiences.
In some cases, psychological symptoms or conditions may be relevant to circumstances surrounding a delayed filing. Your immigration attorney determines how this information applies to your legal case.
U-Visa
U-Visa psychological evaluations may document the psychological effects of qualifying criminal activity and the resulting impact on an individual's emotional health and functioning.
The evaluation may address symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, fear, and other psychological consequences.
Eligibility for a U-Visa is a legal determination made under applicable immigration law. Your attorney can determine whether a U-Visa may be appropriate for your circumstances.
T-Visa
T-Visa psychological evaluations may document the psychological impact of human trafficking and related traumatic experiences.
The evaluation may explore trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, dissociation, fear, and other psychological effects associated with trafficking.
Your immigration attorney can determine whether you meet the legal requirements for T-Visa relief and how the psychological evaluation may support your case.
What's needed for the evaluation process?
Before your evaluation, you will receive information about the forms and documentation needed for your specific evaluation.
Depending on the case, this may include:
- Completed consent-to-treat forms
- Completed intake forms
- HIPAA and authorization-for-release-of-information forms
- Relevant medical or mental health records
- Immigration-related documents
- Information provided by your attorney
- Diagnostic testing or psychological screening when clinically appropriate
You do not need to have every possible document before contacting us. If you are unsure what information is needed, we can explain the evaluation process and next steps.
What should I expect during the evaluation?
Immigration psychological evaluations are individualized based on the client's circumstances and the type of immigration matter.
The evaluation may include:
- A comprehensive clinical interview
- Interviews with the client and, when clinically appropriate, relevant family members or other individuals
- Review of psychological, medical, and other relevant records
- Psychological or cognitive assessment and standardized screening measures when appropriate
- Discussion of trauma history, symptoms, functioning, and relevant family circumstances
- Consultation with the referring immigration attorney when appropriate and authorized
- Preparation of a comprehensive written psychological evaluation report
Most evaluations require approximately 2–4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. The evaluation may occur across two appointment days, with no more than two hours generally reserved per session.
Evaluations are conducted primarily in English. Professional, HIPAA-compliant third-party interpretation services are available for clients who need language assistance.
All immigration evaluations are provided virtually through secure telehealth for eligible clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
How much does an immigration psychological evaluation cost?
The current fee for a standard immigration psychological evaluation is $1,500.
The fee reflects the complete evaluation process, including clinical interviews, review of relevant records and information, assessment when clinically appropriate, and preparation of a comprehensive written report.
Additional fees may apply for services outside the standard evaluation process, such as court testimony or other specialized requests.
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How does scheduling and payment work?
A portion of the evaluation fee is due at scheduling to reserve your appointment. The remaining balance is due before the completed evaluation is released to you and/or your attorney.
Evaluation fees are non-refundable.
If court testimony or another service outside the standard evaluation is requested, additional fees will apply and will be discussed before the service is scheduled.
Report turnaround
Still Waters understands that immigration cases often involve important deadlines.
Standard reports are generally completed within 7 days after the evaluation is completed and all necessary information has been received.
Expedited 3-day service may be available upon request, depending on scheduling and the complexity of the evaluation.
Once the evaluation is complete, you can access your report through the client portal. A copy may also be provided to your attorney of record when an appropriate authorization for release of information is on file.
Why choose Still Waters Therapeutic Services?
Immigration cases often involve deeply personal experiences involving trauma, abuse, persecution, family separation, or uncertainty about the future. The evaluation process should be clinically thorough while also being respectful and culturally responsive.
At Still Waters Therapeutic Services, evaluations are designed to provide a supportive and professional environment while documenting clinically relevant information clearly and objectively.
Janine Braham, MS, MS, NCC, LCPC-S brings more than 14 years of professional counseling experience and provides services using a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
Still Waters Therapeutic Services serves eligible clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. through secure virtual appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an immigration attorney to receive an evaluation?
You do not necessarily need an attorney before contacting Still Waters. However, an immigration attorney can help determine whether a psychological evaluation is appropriate for your particular case and how the evaluation may be used as part of your legal strategy.
Will the evaluation guarantee that my immigration case will be approved?
No. A psychological evaluation cannot guarantee approval of a visa, green card, waiver, asylum application, or other immigration benefit. The evaluation provides clinical information that may be considered as part of your overall immigration case.
What if I don't have medical or mental health records?
You should still contact us. Records can be helpful, but the evaluation also considers the clinical interview, available documentation, psychological assessment, and other relevant information.
Do I have to talk about traumatic experiences?
The evaluation may require discussion of experiences relevant to your case. The evaluator will guide the process and provide a professional, supportive environment for discussing difficult experiences.
Can my attorney communicate with the evaluator?
Yes. With appropriate authorization, the evaluator may communicate with the referring attorney regarding information relevant to the evaluation and the completed report.
How long does the evaluation take?
Most evaluations require approximately 2–4 hours and may occur across two appointment days. The exact amount of time depends on the complexity of the case and the information that needs to be reviewed.
Are evaluations available virtually?
Yes. Immigration psychological evaluations are provided virtually through secure telehealth for eligible clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. Still Waters Therapeutic Services provides psychological assessment and clinical information. Immigration attorneys provide legal advice and legal representation.
What types of immigration cases do you evaluate?
Still Waters provides psychological evaluations for VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, asylum, extreme hardship, cancellation of removal, and other immigration matters where psychological evidence may be clinically relevant.
Ready to Schedule an Evaluation?
If you are an immigration attorney seeking an evaluation for a client, or you have been referred for an immigration psychological evaluation, Still Waters Therapeutic Services can help you understand the evaluation process and next steps.
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Call: 443-545-4235
Still Waters Therapeutic Services, LLC provides psychological assessment services and does not provide immigration legal advice. An immigration psychological evaluation does not guarantee approval of any immigration benefit. Immigration decisions are made by the appropriate government agency or court.