Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes! I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you learn more about my services and see if we’re the right fit.
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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.
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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.
How can I request a new appointment?
You can request a new appointment here. Or, feel free to contact me online or call me at (562) 250-4452.
What type of immigration evaluations do you offer?
Depends on the type of immigration petition:
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Extreme Hardship Waivers (I-601 / I-601A)
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Cancellation of Removal
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VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
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U-Visa
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T-Visa
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Asylum
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N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (assessment and form completion)
What is the cost of an immigration psychological evaluation?
- 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
How does an immigration psychological evaluation work?
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.
Can you testify in court for an immigration evaluation?
Does an immigration evaluation guarantee a specific outcome?
What is an N-648 medical waiver for U.S. Naturalization?
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
How does an immigration psychological evaluation for extreme hardship waivers (I-601 / I-601a) work?
How does an immigration psychological evaluation for a cancellation of removal (eoir-42a / 42b) work?
What is the difference between extreme hardship and cancellation of removal?
- 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.
How does an immigration psychological evaluation for other petitions like vawa, asylum, t-visa, or u-visa work?
- 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.
What does the immigration evaluation process involve?
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.
Are the screeners and tests used in immigration evaluations available in Spanish?
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.
What are evaluation completion and timeline submission for immigration evaluations?
Comprehensive, timely, and tailored evaluations for a wide range of immigration petitions:
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Thorough, case-specific evaluations
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Clinical summaries are included in all reports
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Psychological testing for complex cases
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Standard turnaround: 21–30 business days (may vary based on case complexity, client participation, and N-648 submission requirements)
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Expedited reports: 7–14 business days (rush fee applies)
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N-648 submissions: Coordinated to meet USCIS deadlines for timely filing
What is the difference between Forensic Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology?
Clinical Psychology
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Clinical psychology is about helping people feel better and live healthier lives.
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Clinical psychologists can provide therapy, psychological testing, and support for concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional or behavioral challenges.
Forensic Psychology
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Forensic psychology applies psychological principles to the legal system, including immigration cases.
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A forensic psychologist conducts thorough psychological evaluations and prepares detailed reports to help immigration attorneys, courts, and USCIS officers understand the mental health impact of an individual’s circumstances.
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These evaluations provide objective, evidence-based documentation that connects psychological, emotional, and social factors to a person’s immigration petition or legal situation.
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A forensic psychologist helps translate a person’s mental health story into a clear, professional report that may strengthen their immigration case.
What types of therapy do you offer?
- Individual
- Family
- Couples
What can I expect to get out of therapy?
While progress may look different for everyone, clients often develop greater self-awareness, build healthier relationships, and enhance their coping skills over time.
I enjoy working with individuals who are curious about themselves and open to putting in the effort needed for growth during our sessions.
How much does therapy cost?
- Individual Therapy (without insurance): $225 per session
- Family Therapy: $275 per session
- Couples Therapy: $275 per session
- Psychological Testing & Evaluation: $250 per hour
Insurance copay rates for individual, family, or couples therapy vary depending on the insurance plan.
Sliding scale rates may be available on a case-by-case basis.
What type of insurance do you accept for therapy?
I accept the following insurance for therapy:
- Aetna
- Optum
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare Oxford
- UMR
- Anthem
- Cigna
- Oscar
- Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- BlueCross and BlueShield
- Premera Blue Cross
- Magellan
- Optima Health Plan
I use Headway.co for insurance clients
What is your therapy/treatment focus?
- Intergenerational Trauma
- First-gen/Immigrant Experience
- Anxiety & Depression
- Identity Exploration
- Relationship & Family Dynamics
- Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
- Stress Management
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Life Transitions / Changes
- Work and Career Issues
- Parenting Issues
- Women’s Health
How long are therapy sessions?
If you’re using insurance, session length may vary slightly based on insurance billing guidelines.
What therapy treatment modalities do you apply?
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-Focused Talk Therapy
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
How can I know if we are good match for therapy?
It’s important to feel comfortable and safe with your therapist. The best way to determine if we’re a good match is through an initial consultation, where we can meet to discuss your needs, goals, and expectations for therapy.
This first conversation helps us both get a sense of the therapeutic relationship and determine if working together feels like the right fit. Building a strong therapeutic connection also depends on your participation, openness, and engagement in the process.
Please feel free to request a free 15-min consultation by contacting me online or calling (562) 250-4452.
Do you offer therapy in Spanish?
Yes, I offer therapy in both English and Spanish. I’m fully fluent in both languages, and Spanish was my first language. Being bilingual and culturally familiar allows me to connect more deeply with clients who feel more comfortable expressing themselves in Spanish or a mix of both languages (Spanglish).
¿Ofrece terapia en español?
Sí, ofrezco terapia tanto en inglés como en español. Hablo ambos idiomas con fluidez, y mi primer idioma fue el español. Ser bilingüe y tener un entendimiento cultural me permite conectar mejor con las personas que prefieren expresarse en español o en una combinación de ambos idiomas (Spanglish).
What is intergenerational (or generational) trauma?
For example, if a family lived through war, displacement, abuse, or discrimination, the ways they learned to survive—such as avoiding emotions, being overly cautious, or struggling with trust—can unintentionally be taught to the next generation. Over time, this can impact how families communicate, handle stress, or form relationships.
The good news is that by recognizing these patterns, healing and change are absolutely possible.
What is narcissistic abuse?
While the abuse may not always be obvious—sometimes it’s subtle and hidden—it can deeply affect a person’s mental and emotional health.
I’m an existing therapy client — how do I access my secure client portal?
Current clients may log in to their secure client portal using the following link:
I’m an existing therapy client — where do I update my health insurance information or payment method?
If you are a therapy client using insurance through Headway, you can update your health insurance information or payment method by signing in to your Headway account at:
to book a free consultation
Se Habla Español – Llame hoy para su consulta gratuita
