Do You Need a Therapist for an Immigration Case?
Do You Need a Therapist for an Immigration Case? Here’s What You Should Know
If you’re going through the immigration process or supporting someone who is, you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unsure of what to expect. It’s a journey filled with paperwork, legal language, and emotional weight. In many immigration cases, attorneys recommend or even require a mental health evaluation conducted by a licensed therapist. But why? What does a therapist offer that an attorney doesn’t, and how can this support your immigration journey?
As a friendly, compassionate, and bilingual therapist, and an immigrant myself navigating the United States immigration system, I understand not just the clinical importance of these evaluations, but also the human story behind them. I provide professional immigration mental health evaluations to clients all across California, including:
Bakersfield
Fresno
Delano
Central Valley
Los Angeles
Modesto
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
Sacramento
And surrounding communities
Appointments are held virtually through a secure video platform, so you can meet with me from the privacy and comfort of your own home. There is no need to travel or leave work early. I am here to make the process easier, safer, and more supportive for you and your family.
Common Scenarios Where Attorneys Refer Clients to a Therapist
Many immigration attorneys refer clients for a psychological evaluation when emotional or psychological hardship is an important part of the legal argument. These referrals often happen in cases such as:
Extreme Hardship Waivers (I601, I601A): When a family member needs to show how deeply they would be affected if their loved one were deported
Asylum Cases: When trauma from persecution or violence in your home country needs to be documented
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act): When there has been abuse and emotional harm in a relationship
U Visa and T Visa: When you are a victim of a crime or human trafficking and need to document psychological impact
Cancellation of Removal: When you or a loved one is facing deportation and you need to show how it would affect your family members who are U S citizens
The Role of a Therapist vs a Lawyer in Your Case
Your immigration attorney focuses on building your legal case. They know how to present your petition, gather evidence, and navigate immigration law. But a therapist provides something your lawyer cannot: a clinically informed, emotionally grounded report that tells the story behind the case.
My job as your therapist is to:
Conduct a thorough psychological evaluation
Assess the emotional and mental health impact of your situation
Write a professional report that meets USCIS guidelines
Use culturally competent and trauma informed care throughout the process
This report becomes part of your evidence package and helps immigration officers and judges understand your story on a deeper, more human level.
Why a Qualified Immigration Evaluation Matters
Not all therapists are trained in writing immigration evaluations. These reports are different from regular therapy notes or assessments. They need to follow a specific structure, include clinical reasoning, and be tailored to your legal case.
Because I specialize in immigration evaluations and have worked with attorneys across California, I know what a strong report needs. I also know that behind each case is a family, a future, and a lot of hope.
What Makes a Strong Psychological Report for Immigration?
A strong immigration mental health evaluation should be:
Detailed and clinically sound
Specific to the immigration case type
Culturally sensitive and trauma informed
Written in clear, professional language
Inclusive of emotional, relational, and psychological impacts
Every report I write is based on structured clinical interviews, psychological screenings, and a deep understanding of your lived experience. I offer evaluations in both English and Spanish, and professional translation services can be coordinated when needed.
You Are Not Alone
As someone who is also navigating the immigration system, I understand the uncertainty, fear, and pressure that can come with it. This is not just paperwork, it’s your life, your family, and your future. My role is to support you in telling your story in a way that is honest, respectful, and clinically valid.
Whether you are just starting your case or have already been referred by an attorney, I am here to help you take the next step.
Ready to Schedule an Evaluation?
You can schedule your secure, virtual appointment from anywhere in California, including:
Bakersfield
Fresno
Delano
Central Valley
Los Angeles
Modesto
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
Sacramento
To get started:
Call or Text: 805 307 8842
Email: edith@vivewelltherapy.com
Website: www.ViveWellTherapy.com
Location: Virtual services available across California
Or Click Here
You deserve compassionate, professional support for your immigration journey. I’m here when you’re ready.
Warmly,
Edith, therapist specializing in immigration evaluations based in Bakersfield, CA.
