Yes! I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you learn more about my services and see if we’re the right fit.

• For immigration evaluations (attorneys and clients): We’ll discuss the type of petition, case details, and what the evaluation process looks like, so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

• For therapy services: We’ll talk about your goals, answer any questions, review office hours and policies, and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward.

My goal is to make the process clear, supportive, and easy to navigate—whether you’re seeking a psychological evaluation for an immigration case or therapy for personal growth and healing.

You can request a new appointment here. Or, feel free to contact me online or call me at (562) 250-4452.

Depends on the type of immigration petition:

• Extreme Hardship Waivers (I-601 / I-601A)

• Cancellation of Removal

• VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

• U-Visa

• T-Visa

• Asylum

• N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (assessment and form completion)

• Flat fee (first 8 hours): $1,975 (based on petition type & case complexity)
• Additional hours: $250 per hour
• Limited low bono and pro bono availability (depending on case complexity)
• Note: Immigration evaluations are not covered by insurance

Forensic Testimony & Related Services: Fee sheet available upon request

Purpose: The aim of an immigration psychological evaluation is not to decide the outcome of a case but to present the court or USCIS with a clear, professional, and strong>evidence-based overview of the psychological and emotional effects related to the immigration issue.

A person who is medically unable to fulfill the English and/or civics requirement due to a cognitive, psychological, or developmental condition may qualify for an N-648 waiver.

A comprehensive psychological evaluation documents specific impairments that affect naturalization eligibility, thereby strengthening the case with clear clinical evidence for USCIS.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), only a medical doctor (MD), a doctor of osteopathy (DO), or a licensed clinical psychologist is authorized to certify Form N-648. The medical professional must also be licensed to practice in any U.S. state or territory.

Conditions Evaluated Include:

• Major neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury)
• Intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Learning disorders or memory impairments
• PTSD, severe anxiety, and other serious mental illnesses

• This is usually requested when someone is applying for certain waivers (like the I-601 or I-601A).
• The applicant must show that if they are denied admission or removed, their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent would suffer “extreme hardship.”
• Children are not direct qualifying relatives for these waivers, though their hardship may still be considered indirectly (through its impact on the parent).

Cancellation of Removal

• This is a defense used in immigration court to stop deportation.
• The applicant must prove that if they are removed, their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child would suffer “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship.”
• Unlike hardship waivers, children do count directly as qualifying relatives.
• The hardship standard is higher than in waiver cases, meaning the applicant must show that the impact on their family would go well beyond the usual difficulties of separation.

• For these petitions, evaluations document the psychological impact of trauma, such as domestic violence, abuse, crime victimization, trafficking, or persecution.
• The report describes symptoms (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety), how trauma has affected daily life and functioning, and the need for ongoing safety and support.
• These types of evaluations may take more time to complete, depending on the complexity of the case.

1: Referral & Purpose

• An attorney or individual requests the evaluation as part of their immigration case.
• The evaluation focuses on answering case-specific questions, such as:
  • What type of hardship would family members experience if a loved one is removed from the U.S.?
  • How has domestic violence or trauma impacted the applicant?
  • How has past persecution, trafficking, or abuse affected the applicant’s mental health?

2: Clinical Interviews

• The evaluator meets with the applicant (and sometimes family members) to gather a thorough personal, medical, and psychological history.
• Sessions may be conducted in English, Spanish, or another language, depending on the evaluator’s ability. Interpreter fees may apply for languages other than English or Spanish. Referrals to a native-language-speaking evaluator may also be arranged.

3: Assessment Tools

• Standardized psychological tests or symptom checklists can be used to evaluate mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma-related issues.
• These tools can offer additional objective information about a person’s symptoms or mental health condition.

4: Documentation Review

• The evaluator may review supporting records such as medical files, therapy notes, police reports, or school records to provide context and support findings.

5: Analysis of Impact

• The evaluation examines how the immigration matter has affected, or could affect, the applicant and/or their family. This may include:
  • Mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma).
  • Family and relationships (impact on children, parenting, stability).
  • Medical care and safety (access to treatment, risk factors if relocated).
  • Education and development (especially for children with special needs).
  • Financial and community support (loss of stability, housing, employment, and social networks).

6: Written Report

• The evaluator prepares a comprehensive report addressed to USCIS or the immigration court.
• The report is objective, evidence-based, and specifically tailored to the legal questions relevant to the petition type.

7: Court Testimony (if needed)

• In some cases, the evaluator may be asked to testify in immigration court to explain and support the findings of the evaluation.

Yes. The majority of the assessment and testing tools I use for immigration evaluations are available in Spanish. If a client has limited reading or comprehension abilities, I can make appropriate accommodations to ensure understanding and accuracy. Any such limitations are documented in the final report to support the validity of the findings and provide context for the results.