Cadenas, G. A., et al., Informed Immigrant, 2020, Working with refugees from Syria and surrounding Middle East countries The tone should be conversational and organic rather than interrogative. Our providers are recognized as expert witnesses in federal immigration court. When this happens, the victim can leave their abuser and petition US Immigration to be allowed to stay in the United States and eventually receive a Green Card (permanent resident status) by proving that they are being abused by their American husband/wife. If you arrive more than 30 minutes late for your scheduled appointment, you will be charged a fee of $200 to the card on file. The evaluation is a bio/psycho/social assessment conducted by a licensed clinician, that assesses your mental health status, medical conditions, current life situation, and trauma history. Research on the healthy immigrant paradox even suggests that upon arrival, immigrants have better mental health than nonimmigrants. If you have been the victim of a crime and are cooperating with law enforcement officials in the prosecution of the perpetrators, you may be eligible for a U-Visa. Now, the world is responding to a new influx of refugees fleeing violence and oppression after the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan. Visit the Health Care AuthoritysProviderEnrollmentpage for additional information. . As a the great poet Rumi once put it: Your wound is the place where the light enters you, helping you to see yourself in a new light. Hi, my name is Mackenzi and Im glad youre here. Dr. Kane has particular training and expertise in evaluating both youth and adults presenting with complex psychological and neuropsychological conditions. Forensic psychologists may conduct evaluations for a variety of cases, including asylum, human trafficking, and U visas, which provide protection for victims of certain crimes. Before clinicians begin working with immigrants and refugees, they should understand the context of immigration in the United States, both today and historically. While most types of therapy have a lot in common, they also fall into clusters that share core features, such as cognitive therapies or psychodynamic approaches. Developed in 2015, this network was created to provide pro-bono medical and psychological evaluations for individuals who are seeking asylum. 9, No. Reports are returned to attorneys 5 - 10 business days after the appointment and all necessary forms are submitted. Arriving more than 30 minutes late makes the work rushed and can lower the quality of your evaluation and report. Even immigrants from the same country often differ greatly in their legal statuses, levels of familial support, and personal experiences. Call or Email Rob. Dr. (Eds.) Trauma-informed care, narrative therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective treatment modalities for immigrant populations. Arlett Tracey-Gayle, M.S., M.Div. Psychological evaluations are often essential pieces of evidence to prove trauma in court. They experience high rates of psychological distresssuch as depression, anxiety, and fearand may face problems with behavior and relationships at home and at school (Gulbas, L. E., et al., Child: Care, Health and Development, Vol. Agencies can often get backed up with months of evaluations, leaving people waiting for a report for months! When parents understand these expectations, children and adolescents can engage in developmentally appropriate activities that will help them in the acculturation process, Reyes said. I have witnessed wins in court, and heard feedback that my evaluations contributed in tipping the scale for a win! Bothered by old memories? Their work typically involves assessing the extent of psychological harm and, in asylum cases, whether it stems from persecution the patient endured. Your web browser does not support iFrames. My goal is to help each individual recognize their personal strengths and to identify what success means to them. Gaining additional knowledge and experience with cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and immigration policy can further amplify their impact. If you are a client and your attorney suggested a psychological evaluation, I know how strange that must feel. This time of evaluation assesses your risk for criminal behavior in the future. If you are an attorney, Im happy to send you a sample evaluation to see if my report would be a good fit for what you are looking for. Orlando: (407) 690 7129, 2023 Immigration Psychology. Children from mixed-status families, where one or both parents are undocumented and one or more children are U.S. citizens, are another vulnerable group, Pizarro said. My office makes psychological evaluations conveniently accessible to many people. This includes testifying as an expert in Federal Immigration Court. Psychologists have a long-standing history of studying trauma, separation and resilience in immigrant populations, and their discoveries have shed light on the potential mental health impacts of recent family separation, deportation and other policies influencing undocumented people. Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder are common mental health issues among migrants who have experienced such trauma (Garcini, L. M., et al., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. I also thrive while working with women or men facing depression or anxiety in addition to those who are transitioning to the golden years of life. All Rights Reserved. Because of our extensive clinical experience, we are able to provide a professional, detailed assessment in a timely manner, that supports court proceedings related to immigration cases. You can expect a quality, professional report. Hunter conducts psychological testing and evaluation including personality, behavioral, cognitive, and neuropsychological assessment for diagnostic clarification. If you do not have an attorney, we can refer you to an attorney who is experienced with VAWA petitions. I have heard time and time again, from various attorneys that these evaluations have the power to change the outcome of a case. For example, migrants leaving Central Americas Northern Triangle region (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras), which the United Nations calls one of the most dangerous parts of the world, are often running for their lives, said Charissa Pizarro, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who works with undocumented immigrants. I also provide testing for personality functioning, cognitive abilities and learning problems. Do you currently havean immigration legal case? When conducting an intake interview or psychological assessment, the patient should know they are in control and can stop the interview or choose not to answer certain questions, Cadenas said. Dr. Hunter is a Board Certified Forensic Psychologist and Licensed Psychologist in Washington and Arizona. Dr. Chantal Marie Gagnon, Ph.D., LMHC, CAP, SAP How psychologists can help refugees. Other cultural nuances, such as conventions around eye contact or the desire to appease the clinician, can also influence rapport and the patients comfort level in treatment (Sue, D. W., et al., Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice, Wiley, 2019). The evaluation is a bio/psycho/social assessment conducted by a licensed clinician, that assesses your mental health status, medical conditions, current life . 3, 2016). Can marriages be saved? Our Christian Counselor: Rev. We have been providing immigration psychological services for over 10 years and our qualified providers offer services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Immigrants arrive in the United States with a vast diversity of religious, linguistic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Immigrants, Pew Research Center, 2018). But mental health professionals have importantly distinct areas of focus. We will develop a treatment plan together. A hardship evaluation done by a mental health professional is designed to document and explain this hardship to immigration professionals. I primarily specialize in Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD assessments, but also conduct evaluations for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Trauma/PTSD. For others, such as families who are more established and have enrolled their children in school, acculturation and ethnic identity may be the primary concerns, said Dina Birman, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami who studies the way immigrants and refugees adjust to life in the United States. Over the past decade, she has provided assessments for hundreds of immigrants from around the world with an exceptionally high success rate. I have helped people to reach their physical health goals, heal from trauma, make career and life transitions, grow in marriages and relationships, and build mood and anxiety management tools. Your evaluator will generate a detailed report assessing your current emotional state and the emotional impact of your immigration case, including protective factors and risk factors. Working on my own has allowed me to set a competitive price for my clients without losing quality. Dr. Gagnon is a Certified Florida Forensic Examiner and has received training in providing CourtroomTestimony, including detailed training on surviving Ad Hominem attacks in court. Dr. Gagnon and her associates can conduct specialized objective mental health and psychological testing to determine your risk of re-offense. The report will be released once the remaining balance is paid. Evaluations, Psychotherapy, & Life Coaching, Mental Health Insurance, Payment and Fees. Within our sorrows and fears is the strength needed to overcome our challenges. For more information, call (800) 374-2721. 65, No. Despite facing significant psychological challenges, including racism, acculturation, and trauma, immigrants access mental health care services at lower rates than people born in the United States (Derr, A. S., Psychiatric Services, Vol. I can assure you that it is a very standard process where you will feel safe and cared for. Neuropsychologist Dr. Jada Santos, Psy.D. Reaching immigrants in the places they already frequentschools, community centers, places of worship, and even social media venues such as Facebook Live or Instagram Livecan help bridge that gap. When an individual faces deportation, this can be a significant emotional and psychological hardship on their family (spouse, children, or elderly parents). Read therapist profiles to find someone you'd like to work with. Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals: Location: 121 Sunnyside Ave, Suite 146, PO Box 270, Granger, WA 98932: Contact: Most private insurances accepted (no Medicaid). Georgia now supports therapists as they begin their work providing immigration evaluations. Appointments like can be very strange. I specialize in working with adults and couples who struggle with building and maintaining healthy/happy relationships. While my initial focus was concerns of young people through early adulthood, over the years I have extended my range, and presently work with all ages and development. The new intelligence assessment caps a years-long effort by the CIA and several other U.S. intelligence agencies to explain why career diplomats, intelligence officers and others serving in U.S . It can happen that this relationship becomes abusive, with the American citizen as the abuser and the immigrant spouse as the victim. I get to help people achieve VERY important goals and keep families together. Additionally, we can take $450 at the time of the appointment, and collect the remaining balance at the time of submission of the final report. Julia McLawsen, PhD, 1400 112th Ave SE, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004 (206) 289-0456 julia@lawandpsychology.net 23, 2021): In terms of therapeutic modalities that are effective for immigrant patients, clinicians recommend strengths-based approaches and narrative therapy (Peltonen, K., & Kangaslampi, S., European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Vol. If you're unsure about whether your case could benefit from a psychological evaluation, check with your lawyer. The Immigration Evaluation Directory members have received training in various places, including the Immigration Evaluation Institute. 5 - 10 business days after the appointment and all necessary forms are submitted goal is to help achieve... Diversity of religious, linguistic, educational, and heard feedback that my contributed... 407 ) 690 7129, 2023 immigration Psychology that must feel work typically involves the. Their personal strengths and to identify what success means to them immigration services. 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