Immigration Evaluations

What is a psychological immigration evaluation?

A psychological immigration evaluation is a specialized mental health assessment conducted to support your immigration case (for asylum, hardship waivers, U/T visas, VAWA, etc.). During the evaluation, we will explore your personal history, life experiences, emotional and psychological functioning, and how traumatic or stressful events may have impacted your mental health. You will also complete some testing, which can be completed verbally or in writing, and will be tailored to each case. I then create a formal report interpreting your test results, interviews, and clinical observations. Immigration attorneys and USCIS often use these types of reports as supporting evidence in immigration cases to highlight the impact of your psychological functioning. 

How much does an immigration psychological evaluation cost?

The cost of a psychological immigration evaluation varies depending on the complexity and depth needed. Please refer to my Cost Page for more details. 

Do you work directly with my immigration lawyer?

Yes, I frequently collaborate with immigration attorneys. Once your evaluation and report are complete, I will securely deliver the report to your lawyer so it can be included in your case. This helps your legal team present professional psychological evidence alongside the legal arguments.

Can you do immigration evaluations online/virtually?

Yes — I provide both in-person and virtual psychological immigration evaluations. The in-person option is in San Diego (Mission Valley), and virtual evaluations allow me to serve clients across California. Virtual evaluations are especially helpful for those who don’t live near me or who prefer the convenience of remote sessions. To provide virtual evaluations, I require that individuals have access to a private location with a device that has video capacity. I also require that you complete all of the necessary consent forms electronically if you choose to do a virtual evaluation. 

Can psychological evaluations really help my immigration case?

While a psychological evaluation is not a guarantee of success, many immigration attorneys consider them very useful. The assessment gives your case a professional, documented perspective of how your life experiences, trauma, or hardship have influenced your mental health. This contextual, expert insight can strengthen your case when paired with legal arguments and evidence.

What if English is not my first language? Do you offer evaluations in Spanish or with interpreters?

Absolutely! I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural, which helps me work well with clients whose first language is Spanish. I can provide evaluations in Spanish. If you require another language, I will work with you to find a professional interpreter. Ideally, this is not a family member, but I understand that there are times when certain dialects may be difficult to find interpreters in the area. Additionally, certain evaluations require a medically certified interpreter (N-648 form). Interpreters have their own additional costs, and I cannot guarantee the amount of their fees. 

Why do I need a psychological evaluation for my immigration case?

This is a great question for your immigration lawyer! I encourage everyone who is interested in a psychological evaluation for their immigration case to discuss their needs for an evaluation with their lawyer. Psychological evaluations can be a helpful addition to your case as they paint an in-depth picture of your life and your current and past mental health experiences.

How long does it take for my immigration evaluation to be completed?

Once the evaluation is completed, it takes me about 2-3 weeks to complete the report and send it to your lawyer. If you need the evaluation sooner than 2-3 weeks, there is a rush fee that can be discussed. Please let me know if there is a deadline for your report.

Therapy

Do you offer therapy for couples, families, or only individuals?

I offer individual therapy for adults only. At this time, I do not provide couples or family therapy, nor do I work with children. I am happy to provide referrals to for couples and family therapists as I have them. 

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Therapy might feel right for you if you’re facing anxiety, depression, trauma, identity issues, life transitions, or stress. Many people start therapy when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or in need of a safe space to process their thoughts or difficult or complicated feelings. Sometimes people also start therapy because they are looking for a non-judgmental sounding board for a life transition, and they are getting that from the people in their life. In our free consultation call, we can discuss your specific needs and therapy goals and decide together whether starting therapy now would be a good idea. 

Do you prescribe medication?

No, as a psychologist, I do not prescribe medication. However, I am happy to collaborate with your psychiatrist, physician, or refer you to a qualified medical provider. Many clients combine therapy and medication under coordinated care with other professionals.

Is therapy confidential? Will anyone else know I’m seeing a therapist?

Yes. Therapy is confidential and bound by ethical and legal rules. I do not and cannot share information from sessions with anyone else without your written permission and consent, except in rare cases required by law (such as serious risk to yourself or others). We will discuss these exceptions in detail when we begin therapy. You can trust that your privacy is protected.

Do you offer therapy in Spanish or with interpreters? 

Yes. I provide therapy in English, Spanish, or Spanglish (a mix of both, depending on your comfort level). If you need another language, you can bring a professional interpreter (again, ideally not a family member, to protect confidentiality). Some insurance plans may cover interpretation services, but coverage is inconsistent, so please check with your insurance.

Do you provide therapy for people outside San Diego?

Yes, I offer telehealth/virtual therapy, but I am licensed to practice only within the state of California. That means I can see clients anywhere in California (virtually), but I cannot provide therapy to clients outside California due to licensing restrictions. I require that people have access to a device with video capacity. Although I know that technology isn’t perfect, it is possible that in rare cases we might do phone calls. However, I do not primarily do therapy via phone calls. 

Do you accept insurance?

Yes! Please see the Cost Page for a list of insurances I am credentialed with through Alma. I am also considered an out-of-network provider for most insurance. Please contact your insurance directly to determine your out-of-network mental health benefits.

How often and how long do I meet with a therapist?

It depends. I typically work with people who are interested in long-term therapy to address complex trauma. Therefore, I tend to work with individuals for at least 6 months, but it can vary. Initially, I prefer to meet weekly, as this allows us to determine if we are a good fit and helps to create a stronger therapeutic relationship. Once you feel ready, we can discuss meeting less frequently. We will discuss this when we go over your treatment goals. I do not require people to meet weekly or at least 6 months. This is just my typical style of therapy.

Can I meet with you in person or virtually?

We can do both. My office is located in Mission Valley, close to the Fashion Valley Mall (1455 Frazee Road, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92108). I also provide virtual therapy, which provides more flexibility for clients. Most people I work with tend to do a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. We can discuss your preferences and needs during the free phone consultation.