Immigration mental health evaluations provide concrete, expert-backed evidence of the emotional and psychological hardship that would result from deportation or separation. We recognize that the right immigration mental health evaluation can be the make or break moment when it comes to keeping a family together or saving someone from a life threatening situation.
Research shows these evaluations can significantly impact the outcome of immigration cases with USCIS.
We take this seriously.
Immigration Mental Health Evaluations
Specialties
Removal of Conditions (I-751) - A conditional permanent resident who obtained status through marriage can apply to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.
Extreme and Exceptional Hardship/Waivers (I-601) - Explains how the denial of a visa or adjustment of status would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.
Spousal Abuse - Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) - Provides protection and a path to independent legal status for foreign nationals who are survivors of physical or emotional abuse by their US citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse.
Political Asylum - Provides protection and a path to legal status for individuals who have faced or have a credible fear of facing severe persecution in their home country based on political opinions, activities, or affiliation. These applicants are fleeing life-threatening situations and violations of their fundamental rights.
U-Visas - Provides protection and a path to legal status for individuals who have “suffered substantial mental or physical abuse” and cooperate with law enforcement authorities in the investigation and prosecution of those crimes. Returning to their home country may create further victimization.
T-Visas - Provides protection and a path to legal status for survivors of human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement authorities in the investigation and prosecution of those crimes. Returning to their home country may create further victimization.
Jocelyn Cooper, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor in VA (070100941) and Florida (TPMC2446)
Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Over 10 years of experience providing mental health evaluations, complete with clinical assessments, diagnostics, and future recommendations, to clients with complex backgrounds
Formal training in immigration mental health evaluations including specifics about what information wins cases
Formally trained in trauma-informed counseling techniques
Sensitive to cultural differences and issues of equity
Personal experiences with USCIS
Your Report
You will receive a very comprehensive report detailing:
Your personal and family background. This information makes the decision maker for your case aware of your personal circumstances.
Your medical/psychiatric condition history and associated medications emphasize the type and level of care that you may need to manage your conditions. This may not be attainable in your home country.
Your current mental health state with a mental status evaluation and psychiatric assessment scales shows how this case and the upcoming life changes are impacting you now.
Any hardship factors alert the decision maker to the specifics in your life that would create problems for you if the case were rejected.
Diagnosis, if applicable, adds legitimacy and professional language to describe the impact of everything listed above on your mental and emotional experience.
Professional recommendations for support.
A review of scientific research and literature related to your case for supporting documentation.
The Process
Contact us for a consultation. I’ll gather some basic information from you such as your lawyer’s information and your timeline, and figure out how to help you.
1
We will meet twice virtually for approximately 60 minutes each time to gather information for your report and complete assessments.
2
I will complete your report and send it to you and your lawyer within 5-7 days following the completion of the meetings. If you need an expedited report, there is an additional fee and should be discussed during the consultation.
3
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Immigration Mental Health Evaluation, including records review, two (2) virtual meetings, assessment scoring and interpretation, and report writing:
Standard 5-7 days for report completion following virtual meetings: $1000
Expedited, less than 5 days for report completion: $500
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An immigration evaluation can be essential in highlighting the emotional and psychological factors that may impact your need for asylum, an extreme hardship waiver, or other immigration petitions. For many applications, a psychological evaluation can significantly strengthen your case by clearly telling your story and shedding light on the hardships you’ve faced—or may face—if deported. If you’ve endured psychological or physical abuse, documenting the mental impact of that experience can be crucial.
While your lawyer is an expert in handling the legal aspects of your case, an immigration mental health evaluation is vital for claims involving trauma or mental health concerns. In fact, research by Atkinson et al. (2021) shows that individuals who included an Immigration Psychological Evaluation in their application had a much higher success rate—73.7% compared to the national average of 42.4%.
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Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee you will win your case - few things in life are guaranteed and I am not responsible for the outcome of your case. However, I’m committed to documenting your experiences with as much accuracy and detail as possible to ensure that your words and story is well expressed and in a language that USCIS wants to see. I am not liable for any information that is written in the document that differs from your testimony, statement, affidavit, or any other communication, so I encourage you to be as honest and transparent as possible.