Immigration Evaluations

What exactly is an “immigration assessment”?

 An “immigration assessment” refers to a mental health (or psychological) assessment that a therapist does for an immigration case. Depending on the type of immigration case, the assessment will address various psychological aspects related to the legal needs in the case, in addition to assessing current symptoms. The therapist’s psychological assessment provides critical  evidence in demonstrating extreme hardship to win an immigration case and often it’s the deciding factor in whether or not a client’s family can stay together or whether a client can escape life-threatening circumstances in their home country.

The process:

·     Immigration assessments typically consist of two appointments of approximately an hour and a half in length. 

·     The assessments as well as supporting documents are faxed to the law office within two weeks and a copy can be mailed to the client

First appointment: 

·     Complete a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (evaluate the presence of mental health symptomatology, screen for DSM-5    Diagnoses, such as Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder or PTSD)

·     Administer standardized diagnostic instruments to measure symptoms (e.g. PHQ-9, GAD -7, THQ for trauma screening) 

·     Conduct a thorough screening of the history of the presenting problem

·     Evaluate impact of immigration event on psychosocial and occupational functioning 

·     Evaluate and document the unique economic, educational, safety, and health factors of the client and significant others that demonstrate extreme hardship in immigration cases 

·     Use art therapy assessments with children to document hardship on the qualifying relative and family system

Second appointment: 

·     Follow up questions and review of evaluation with client to ensure accuracy to create the most compelling case for justification of Waiver, asylum or re-unification

·     Interpretation of diagnostic instruments results 

·     Discussion of diagnosis 

·     Mental health recommendations given, as well as a list of resources and referrals 

Cost:

Depending on the complexity of the case, a completed assessment can range from $250 – 750. 

Call 503.964.6991 for more information or a phone consult