Expert assessments to support your immigration case.
Immigration Psychological Evaluations in California, Pennsylvania, & Virginia
Your experiences are valid, your voice deserves to be heard, and your story has the power to open doors to the future you're fighting for.
Your Story Matters In Your Immigration Journey
Navigating the U.S. immigration system can feel overwhelming, especially when your case involves trauma, hardship, or complex circumstances that legal documents alone cannot fully convey. A comprehensive psychological evaluation can provide the detailed, professional documentation needed to help immigration officials understand the human impact of your situation.
Whether you're seeking asylum, have a VAWA case, requesting a hardship waiver, or pursuing other forms of immigration relief, a thorough psychological assessment can be a crucial component of your case. Your experiences, trauma, and mental health deserve to be understood and documented with the care and expertise they require.
You don't have to navigate this process alone—professional support can make a meaningful difference in how your story is told.
When Psychological Evidence Strengthens Your Case
Immigration law recognizes that certain cases require more than legal arguments—they require a deep understanding of psychological trauma, cultural factors, and mental health impacts. A psychological evaluation provides objective, professional documentation that can be essential to your case's success.
Immigration evaluations may be needed for:
Asylum cases - Documenting trauma from persecution, torture, or violence in your home country; explaining psychological reasons for missing the one-year filing deadline
VAWA self-petitions - Documenting abuse by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse
Extreme hardship waivers - Showing psychological impact on qualifying relatives
Common psychological factors addressed:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from persecution or violence
Depression and anxiety related to immigration stressors
Cultural trauma and adjustment difficulties
Family separation and attachment disruption
Domestic violence and intimate partner abuse effects
Childhood trauma and developmental impacts
Substance abuse as coping with trauma
A professional evaluation provides the detailed documentation needed to help legal representatives and immigration officials understand your psychological reality.
Comprehensive, Culturally-Informed Assessments
Immigration psychological evaluations require specialized expertise in trauma, cultural factors, and immigration law requirements. My evaluations meet the highest professional standards while honoring your cultural background and unique experiences.
My evaluation process includes:
Detailed clinical interview (2, 50 minute sessions) exploring your trauma history, symptoms, and cultural context
Standardized psychological testing to objectively measure trauma, depression, anxiety, and functioning
Cultural assessment understanding how your background influences your experiences and expression of distress
Collateral information review of medical records, legal documents, and supporting materials
Comprehensive written report (10-12 pages) meeting legal and clinical standards
What makes my evaluations unique: I understand both the psychological impact of trauma and the specific requirements of immigration law. My reports clearly connect your psychological symptoms to your immigration circumstances, providing the detailed documentation attorneys need for compelling cases.
Your evaluation includes:
Pre-evaluation consultation to understand your case and specific needs
Comprehensive assessment sessions conducted with cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care
Professional interpretation services arranged if needed
Detailed written report typically completed within 15 business days
Coordination with your attorney to ensure the evaluation meets case requirements
All evaluations are conducted with the highest respect for your dignity, privacy, and cultural background.
This evaluation service is for you if:
You're working with an immigration attorney who has recommended a psychological evaluation
You've experienced trauma in your home country or during your immigration journey
You're applying for asylum based on persecution or torture
You're seeking immigration relief based on extreme hardship to family members
You need documentation of domestic violence for a VAWA petition
Your case involves complex trauma or mental health factors
I conduct evaluations for adult individuals (18+) and work with interpreters to ensure language accessibility. I'm experienced with diverse cultural backgrounds and immigration circumstances.
Important note: I provide objective, unbiased evaluations. While I document your psychological condition thoroughly, I cannot guarantee specific immigration outcomes, as these depend on many legal and factual factors beyond psychology.
Getting Started With Your Evaluation
Accelerated trauma healing in a focused, supportive environment
Ready to begin?
Contact me at (619) 363-2976 or email jill@jillmaherlmft.com to discuss your evaluation needs. I work closely with immigration attorneys and can coordinate directly with your legal team to ensure the evaluation meets your case requirements.
The process begins with:
Initial consultation with you and/or your attorney to understand your case specifics
Scheduling assessment sessions with consideration for your work and family obligations
Language interpretation arranged if needed (cost is separate from evaluation fee)
Professional Fees
Standard immigration evaluation: ( 3-5 weeks) $1500
Rush evaluation (completed within 2 weeks): Additional $300
Payment plans are available, and many clients use legal fee loans or family support to cover evaluation costs. 50% of the fee is required as a deposit and is non-refundable. I provide detailed invoices for reimbursement purposes..
Language services: I work with certified interpreters in Spanish, Arabic, French, Mandarin, and other languages as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The initial clinical interview typically takes 2 hours (often split across two sessions). Intake paperwork, including psychological tests will be sent to you prior to initial appointment. The entire process from start to finished report usually takes 3-5 weeks.
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Please submit your intake forms and any medical or mental health records, legal documents related to your case, and a list of medications you're taking. Your attorney can help identify relevant documents.
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Yes, I regularly coordinate with attorneys to ensure evaluations meet case requirements. However, you are my client, and I maintain appropriate professional boundaries while supporting your legal case.
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I work with professional interpreters to ensure language accessibility. All evaluation materials can be translated, and interpreters are bound by the same confidentiality requirements as I am.I work with professional interpreters to ensure language accessibility. All evaluation materials can be translated, and interpreters are bound by the same confidentiality requirements as I am.
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I can provide objective, honest evaluations based on psychological evidence. While I cannot guarantee immigration outcomes, thorough documentation of psychological factors often strengthens cases significantly.
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I'm specially trained in trauma-informed interviewing techniques. We'll go at your pace, take breaks as needed, and I'll help you feel as safe and comfortable as possible while gathering necessary information.