Immigration Psychological Evaluations in California
Are you applying for a U-Visa, VAWA, Asylum, Extreme Hardship/Cancelation of Removal?
I offer compassionate, professional psychological immigration evaluations to help individuals navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. The psychological assessments highlight emotional and mental health factors that can be key in legal decisions. In partnership with immigration attorneys, we ensure every report is detailed, accurate, and designed to strengthen your case.
What is an Immigration Psychological Evaluation?
An immigration psychological evaluation, also known as immigration mental health evaluation, is a powerful tool for the legal process. This evaluation is completed by a licensed mental health professional to support an individual’s immigration case. They provide professionally documented evidence of how your immigration-related experiences have affected your mental and emotional well-being, such as separation from family, trauma, abuse, persecution, or hardship. Importantly, these evaluations help bridge your personal story with the legal standards required by immigration authorities. It can be difficult to articulate the full impact of trauma, fear, or separation—but through this professional process, your experiences are documented in a way that adds clarity, credibility, and strength to your case. Once the report is completed, it is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by the clients immigration attorney as part of their legal case.
Who needs an Immigration Psychological Evaluation?
An immigration evaluation may be needed by individuals involved in certain immigration cases where emotional, psychological, or personal hardship is a key factor. They are typically recommended by the immigration attorney handling the case. These evaluations help provide evidence to support their legal claims. In some cases, USCIS may even require such evaluations as part of the immigration process.
Types of Immigration Evaluations Provided
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Facing possible removal from the U.S. can be an incredibly stressful and uncertain time—for both the individual at risk and their family members. The psychological evaluations for Extreme Hardship and Cancellation of Removal cases are designed to provide detailed, evidence-based documentation of the emotional, psychological, and practical impact that removal would have on qualifying family members, including U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouses, children, or parents.
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I provide psychological evaluations for individuals seeking asylum in the United States due to persecution, trauma, or fear of returning to their home country. These assessments provide detailed documentation of the psychological effects of past abuse, violence, or threats, supporting the credibility of your asylum claim as well as assesses physical or psychological harm risks if the individual is forced to return to their country of origin.
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Psychological evaluations for individuals applying for a U-Visa are for those who have experienced serious crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. These assessments document the emotional and psychological impact of the trauma, helping to support your petition with clear, compassionate, and clinically grounded evidence.
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) psychological evaluations are for individuals who have suffered abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or family member. These assessments document the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse, helping to support your self-petition with compassionate and credible clinical evidence.
The Process
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Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation
During this consultation, we’ll discuss your unique circumstances, immigration goals, and how a mental health evaluation can support your case. It’s also a chance for you to ask questions, express any concerns, and gain a clear understanding of the evaluation process—so we can move forward with clarity and confidence.
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Step 2: Comprehensive Evaluation
Following our initial consultation, we’ll schedule one to two one-on-one online sessions for a comprehensive psychological evaluation. During these sessions, we will discuss your personal experiences, mental health history, and the circumstances surrounding your immigration case. The evaluation includes structured interviews, completion of psychological screeners for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, and a review of any supporting documents you provide.
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Step 3: Report Preparation
After the assessment is complete, I will thoroughly review all the information gathered and create a professionally written evaluation report tailored to your unique situation. The report will outline the psychological impact of your experiences, identify any relevant mental health symptoms or diagnoses, and provide clinical evidence to support your eligibility for immigration relief. Throughout the process, I remain committed to confidentiality, compassion, and precision—ensuring your story is communicated with the care and clarity it deserves.
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Step 4: Report Delivery
Your report will be provided in roughly 14 business days. It can be sent to you and/or your attorney.
*For those who need an expedited report, there is an additional fee. Please let us know your time frame when scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Immigration Psychological Evaluation: $1200
Includes: Virtual Clinical Evaluation and the comprehensive written report.
Optional Expedited Fee for Written Report: $300 (7 business days)
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The evaluation can be completed in one or two virtual sessions. If one session is requested, this will be two to three hours long. If two virtual sessions are requested, these will be 60 to 90 minutes each.
The written report will be completed within 14 business days after completion of the virtual evaluations.
Written report can be completed within 7 business days for an additional fee.
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If you have an attorney, my expertise in psychological evaluations can complement their legal representation by addressing the emotional and mental health aspects of your case. While your lawyer focuses on legal strategy, I provide documented evidence of the psychological impact of your experiences—especially important in cases involving trauma or mental health-related claims. These evaluations not only support your attorney's advocacy but also contribute to a more comprehensive and strategic approach. By working together, we can ensure all aspects of your situation are thoroughly addressed, strengthening your case and increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
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Yes. By working collaboratively, attorneys and I strive to clearly convey the emotional and psychological hardships their clients have faced to USCIS officials, helping to strengthen their cases and improve the chances of a favorable outcome.
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No, Lighthouse Therapy Inc. and Dr. Joseph Olvera, (hereinafter referred to as "the Evaluator") are not responsible for the outcome of any legal proceedings in which the psychological evaluation is submitted.