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.

What types of immigration cases require a psychological evaluation?

Psychological immigration evaluations can be helpful in several types of immigration cases, including asylum cases for individuals who fear returning to their home country due to persecution or trauma. VAWA cases for those who have experienced domestic violence by a qualifying partner or family member. Hardship waivers (I-601 / I-601A), where a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member would face emotional or psychological hardship if they were not allowed to remain in the U.S. U-Visa cases involve survivors of crimes that were committed while the individual has been residing in the U.S. T-Visa cases involve survivors of human trafficking.

I also provide N-648 disability evaluations for individuals applying for U.S. citizenship who have psychological conditions that prevent them from learning English or U.S. civics/history to pass the naturalization examination. Your immigration attorney can help determine whether a psychological evaluation would strengthen your case. I’m always happy to coordinate with your attorney to support the process. You can learn more about the type of immigration cases I work with here.

What happens during a psychological immigration evaluation?

This varies depending on the type of immigration evaluation. However, all evaluations will include a warm, structured conversation about your personal history, your current well-being, and any stress, trauma, or major life changes you have experienced due to immigration related concerns. You will complete psychological questionnaires and some psychological testing, which is tailored to your situation and comfort level. 

After the evaluation, I will write a comprehensive report that clearly explains how your psychological functioning relates to your immigration case. This professional documentation is meaningful to attorneys and immigration officials reviewing your application.

How do I prepare for an immigration psychological evaluation?

There is no formal preparation required. It is helpful to bring any relevant records, such as medical records (e.g., list of current medications), legal documents, or past evaluations, and to reflect on experiences that have shaped your emotional health. If English or Spanish is not your first language, I can help arrange a professional interpreter. Most importantly, you are encouraged to show up as yourself and share your story at a pace that feels safe and respectful.

How long is the immigration evaluation appointment?

Most psychological immigration evaluations are completed in a single appointment, which typically lasts between two and three hours. However, if you can complete the questionnaires before our appointment, it can help shorten our time together. On rare occasions, we may need to schedule an additional appointment, but we will discuss and schedule it together. After the appointment, I dedicate additional time to writing a detailed, high-quality report. My goal is always to ensure your experience is thorough, thoughtful, and supportive.

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.

What types of issues do you specialize in treating?

I work with adults (18+ years old) seeking support for trauma (complex and intergenerational trauma are my specialties), depression, anxiety, stress, identity challenges, and life transitions, including the emotional impact of immigration or cultural adjustment. Many clients come to me because they want a compassionate, culturally aware therapist who understands how complex life experiences shape mental health.

What type of therapy do you use?

I provide trauma-informed therapy that is grounded in evidence-based approaches and tailored to each client. My style is integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Psychodynamic therapy. I also incorporate strength-based and positive psychology strategies.

Because I work with clients from diverse backgrounds, my approach is culturally sensitive and multicultural, including trauma-focused support for those navigating immigration-related stress. Together, we will decide which tools best fit your goals, comfort, and lived experience. If you are interested in learning more about my approach, please visit my Therapy page.

How long does therapy usually last before I see results?

Every person’s healing journey is unique. Some individuals start to feel relief or clarity within a few sessions, while others take more time to process deeper wounds or long-term stressors. We will regularly check in about how therapy is working for you, so the process remains meaningful and aligned with your needs. I also love to hear from my clients about what is and isn’t working for them in the therapy session. So don’t hesitate to tell me if you feel like things aren’t going in the right direction.

What if I’ve never been to therapy before? What should I expect in the first session?

It’s completely okay if therapy feels new or unfamiliar. In fact, most of my clients haven’t been to therapy before. In our first session, we will get to know each other, review rules around confidentiality and privacy in the therapy setting, talk about what brings you in, and explore what your goals for therapy are. You do not need to prepare anything or know exactly what to say. If you do have something specific in mind that you want to talk about that day, I will make sure we have space to talk about that. I will answer any questions you have throughout the process and help you feel grounded and comfortable. The first few sessions of therapy tend to be a lot of information gathering, in that I am going to be asking a lot of questions about your background, as is relevant. Once we have completed the first 3-4 sessions, I like to check in with clients to determine whether they wish to continue working together on the treatment goals we have outlined or if they would prefer to work with another therapist. I am happy to provide referrals to other therapists at that point if necessary.