culturally sensitive and trauma-informed support for your case
Immigration evaluations for LGBTQIA+ petitioners in San Diego
and online throughout California and Florida
You’re struggling with immigration stress
navigating the complexities of immigration adds significant pressure and challenges, impacting your ability to find stability and peace of mind.
Navigating immigration proceedings can be challenging, especially for 2SLGBTQIA+ and trans individuals, who face unique stressors like societal stigma, discrimination, and targeted violence. I work closely with immigration attorneys to understand the nuances of each case and provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed assessments tailored to your specific needs.
A clinical assessment from a licensed mental health professional provides details about the unique challenges and relationship dynamics you’re facing. A clear explanation of your situation can make your case stronger and more understandable in court. This can be a significant or deciding factor in immigration cases.
I provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed assessments for those navigating the immigration system. Mental health evaluations are typically split into (2) 90-minute sessions. A final 10–12-page written assessment will be provided within 3–4 weeks.
In-person evaluations are available in San Diego and virtually throughout California and Florida.
Sound like you?
Overwhelmed by the immigration process and the uncertainty it brings?
Struggling to navigate legal hurdles while trying to maintain your mental health and well-being?
Feeling the weight of constant stress and fear about your future?
Need help coping with the emotional strain of your immigration journey?
Here’s what we’ll do together:
Immigration evaluations can support your case.
Navigating the immigration process can be stressful and overwhelming. We’ll start with a comprehensive consultation, and I’ll meet with your attorney to understand your unique circumstances. Then, we will conduct a detailed evaluation, which will be broken into two separate sessions, usually lasting about 90 minutes each. Together, we’ll review the psychological impact of your immigration
We’ll focus on building resilience and fostering self-acceptance, allowing you to navigate life’s complexities with confidence. By exploring and affirming your unique identity, you’ll gain the strength to face challenges and embrace opportunities for personal growth.
Additionally, therapy can enhance your relationships, helping you communicate more effectively, set healthy boundaries, and deepen your connections with loved ones. Together, we’ll work towards creating a life that aligns with your true self, providing the support and tools you need to thrive.
Through evidence-based techniques and a personalized approach, you’ll develop skills to manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life. This journey is about empowering you to take control of your mental health and build a life that reflects your values and aspirations.
Why choose my services?
Specialized Expertise: With extensive experience in 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and more) issues, I understand the complexities of how gender identity or sexual orientation can affect your situation. This allows me to provide detailed, empathic evaluations.
Comprehensive Assessments: Evaluations are split into two 90-minute sessions, ensuring a thorough understanding of your experiences.
Detailed Reports: You will receive a comprehensive 10-12 page written assessment within 3-4 weeks, which can significantly strengthen your case in court.
Collaborative Approach: I work closely with immigration attorneys to understand the nuances of your case to ensure your unique challenges and relationship dynamics are clearly explained.
How it works:
In-Person and Virtual Evaluations: If you’re in the San Diego area, we can meet at my office or at your attorney’s office. Virtual assessments are also available for those living anywhere in California and Florida.
Flexible Scheduling: Accommodating your schedule provides timely and accessible evaluations.
Types of Assessments
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In asylum cases, evaluations focus on documenting the psychological impact of traumatic experiences from the client’s country of origin. A psychological evaluation provides evidence of the persecution they have suffered by detailing their mental health symptoms and the psychological consequences of these experiences. Assessments include:
Trauma and Persecution Evidence: Thoroughly document how the client’s traumatic experiences serve as evidence of the persecution they endured.
Filing Deadline Explanations: Provide psychological explanations for any delays in meeting the one-year filing deadline, helping to substantiate claims of trauma-related barriers.
Psychoeducation: Provide education on trauma and its clinical symptoms to support the client’s case.
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For hardship and cancellation of removal cases, evaluations focus on the psychological impact of various hardships faced by the client, emphasizing the unique factors of their distress. Evaluations include:
Psychological Distress Factors: Identify and document factors, such as financial, professional, and academic hardships, physical or mental illness, and disability challenges that contribute to the client’s psychological distress.
Home-Country Conditions: Detail adverse conditions in the client’s home country that would affect the petitioner or their family members if they were forced to return.
Trauma and Persecution Evidence: Thoroughly document how the client’s traumatic experiences serve as evidence of the persecution they endured.
Filing Deadline Explanations: Provide psychological explanations for any delays in meeting the one-year filing deadline, helping to substantiate claims of trauma-related barriers.
Psychoeducation: Provide education on trauma and its clinical symptoms to support the client’s case.
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Cases involving the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) focus on the mental health symptoms common among domestic violence victims. Our evaluations provide a thorough understanding of the client’s experiences and their impact on the client’s health. This includes:
Mental Health Symptoms: Document the client’s mental health symptoms that highlight the typical psychological consequences of domestic violence.
Psychoeducation on Violence: Offer detailed psychoeducation on the cycle of violence and its impact on both mental and physical health, supporting the client’s case with professional insights.
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Evaluations provide detailed documentation of the client’s mental health and the impact of the qualifying criminal activity, highlighting the psychological consequences of their experiences. Assessments include:
Impact of Criminal Activity: Thoroughly document the mental health effects of the qualifying criminal activity, detailing how these experiences have impacted the client’s psychological well-being.
Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Provide psychological explanations for the client’s ability or inability to cooperate with law enforcement, taking into account trauma-related barriers.
Psychoeducation: Offer psychoeducation on trauma and its symptoms, helping to contextualize the client’s experiences and reactions.
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Evaluations focus on the psychological impact of human trafficking on the client and support the client’s case by thoroughly documenting the mental health consequences of their trafficking experiences. This includes:
Trafficking Impact: Document the psychological effects of human trafficking and detail the resulting mental health symptoms.
Safety and Recovery Needs: Assess client’s psychological need for safety and recovery, providing insights into how returning to their home country would affect their mental health.
Psychoeducation on Trafficking: Provide psychoeducation on the psychological impact of human trafficking, helping to explain the client’s symptoms and needs within the context of their experiences.