Psychological Evaluation for Immigration
Moment Psychotherapy LCSW PLLC is built on community care. We are honored and committed to uplifting immigrant and Asian/BIPOC communities through accessible, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed mental health care. We also offer tools within the scope of mental health support to advocate for immigrants and underserved AAPI/ BIPOC communities within the state of New York. We believe healing is a collective process, one that values community and connection.
Our bilingual services bring both expertise and heartfelt understanding to support immigrant families navigating complex immigration and adjustment experiences.
Discover how our psychological immigration evaluation services can support you below.
What is an Immigration Psychological Evaluation?
Immigration psychological evaluations are specialized assessments conducted by a licensed mental health professional to support various immigration cases. These evaluations document the psychological, emotional, and/or cognitive impacts of certain immigration-related circumstances. The resulting report is submitted as part of the legal process to help immigration attorneys advocate for their clients.
A psychological evaluation and report can help support the following immigration cases:
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VAWA evaluations offered for individuals of any gender who have experienced abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or family member. Our assessments document the emotional, psychological, and physical impact of the abuse, helping support self-petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Reports are written with compassion and care, and designed to support your case effectively.
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Extreme hardship waiver evaluations provide detailed, professional documentation of the emotional and psychological impact a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident would face if separated from a loved one due to immigration issues. These psychological evaluations are tailored to meet USCIS standards and help demonstrate the severe mental, emotional, or medical hardship that would result if a waiver is not granted.
We work closely with clients and attorneys to deliver accurate, compassionate, and court-ready reports that strengthen your immigration case.Click here to learn more about the USCIS policy on Extreme Hardship
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U-Visa psychological evaluations are designed for individuals who have been victims of serious crimes and have cooperated with law enforcement. We assess and document the lasting emotional and psychological impact of the crime, including trauma, anxiety, or depression. These evaluations can strengthen your petition and clearly show the need for immigration relief.
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We provide T-Visa psychological evaluations for survivors of human trafficking. These assessments explore the short- and long-term emotional effects of trafficking, including trauma, fear, and psychological harm. Our reports are sensitive, trauma-informed, and tailored to support your T visa application by clearly outlining the need for protection and legal relief.
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Asylum psychological evaluations help document the mental and emotional impact of past persecution or fear of future harm. These evaluations provide evidence of trauma, PTSD, depression, or anxiety resulting from threats to your safety, helping to support your claim for protection in the United States. We ensure that each report meets immigration court standards and powerfully communicates your experience.
My story as an immigrant and adovcate:
As a proud Chinese immigrant myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the U.S. immigration process. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the hurdles involved in obtaining legal status and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and families.
With over 9 years of experience in the mental health field (including 3 years working as a counselor and advocate at a nonprofit primarily serving survivors of gender based violence), I have had the honor of supporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crimes as they rebuilt their lives. During this time, I worked closely with clients managing immigration-related stressors, including the complex journey toward citizenship.
My personal experiences and clinical expertise uniquely equip me to provide compassionate, culturally attuned, and effective support through your immigration evaluations. My mission is to walk alongside immigrant clients and your families with compassion, cultural understanding, and trauma-informed care.
Process and Fees
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Initial Consultation – Discuss your case and evaluation needs.
Document Completion – You will submit intake forms and assessment questionnaires.
Evaluation Session(s) – Conducted over 1-2 sessions, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours each.
Report Writing – We will prepare a comprehensive report. Every report is crafted to meet USCIS and immigration court standards, providing credible support for attorneys and clients. Additional assessments may be included based on the applicant’s visa type or specific case needs.
Final Review & Submission – You will review the final report to submit to your attorney.
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We conduct each immigration psychological evaluation using evidence-based practices to assess the applicant’s mental health and immigration-related hardships. Our approach is trauma-informed and culturally sensitive, allowing each interview to move at the applicant’s pace to ensure a safe and supportive experience.
By gathering detailed information through clinical interviews and assessments, we create a strong foundation for a thorough and credible report. We also work collaboratively with immigration attorneys to clearly communicate the psychological impact and legal relevance of the applicant’s challenges—helping to strengthen the overall case.
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Our immigration psychological evaluations include a thorough review of relevant documents, personal and family history, a clinical interview, and standardized psychological assessments. We use evidence-based tools to objectively assess emotional and psychological distress, enhancing the credibility of our reports.
Each evaluation integrates findings from the DSM-5 (when applicable), though a formal diagnosis is not required for approval of a hardship waiver. We focus on the applicant’s personal story and emotional hardship, clearly outlining the psychological impact of trauma, separation, or abuse.
With advanced training in immigration evaluations, we ensure our reports are detailed, persuasive, and aligned with USCIS and immigration court standards, avoiding the common pitfalls of vague or insufficient evaluations.
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We typically complete a comprehensive immigration psychological evaluation report within 2 to 3 weeks after the clinical interview. A draft report is sent to the applicant and their attorney (if applicable) for review. We welcome feedback and will revise the report as needed to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Once all suggested edits are incorporated, a final signed report is delivered for submission. Expedited evaluations are also available for an additional fee, with a 1-week turnaround upon request.
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Each case: $1000-$1200
The total cost of an immigration evaluation includes 2-3 hour evaluation, a thorough, written report provided within 2-3 weeks, and translation fee, if needed.
$150 is due at time of booking the interview (applied to total cost); $500 due at time of interview; and the balance is due ahead of us sending the final report.
Fees can be paid in cash, by credit card, or Zelle.
Expedited turnaround of report fee (1 week): $200