If you have questions about the evaluation process or whether I will be a good fit for you, I offer an optional 15-minute phone consultation during which we can review the process, pricing options, and any other questions or concerns you have. If you need a translator, you are welcome to have a family member or friend join to assist in this introductory call. Some of my clients will start there, while others choose to request to begin the evaluation process directly, often after being referred by their lawyer.
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To move forward with an evaluation, you’ll need to be working with an attorney, because your lawyer will use the report as part of your case. When you are ready to begin the evaluation process, we will discuss payment options, and we’ll schedule a time for our first session. I offer early morning, evening, and weekend appointments to accommodate your schedule. All sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video conference platform to protect your privacy. If an interpreter is required, you will need to hire a Certified Translator to hold credibility for the court. I am happy to provide several dates and times for the first session to be shared with your interpreter so that we can schedule the meeting for a time that works for everyone.
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Before our first session, you will receive some paperwork through a secure patient portal, including a service agreement with payment terms, a release of information for your lawyer, and a credit card authorization form, which you will send back to me with your proof of identity. Your first payment will be invoiced and paid before our first meeting. All of these forms will be submitted and stored in the secure patient portal to protect your privacy and confidentiality.
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Although I am a licensed therapist, our time together will not be therapy. The sessions will be scheduled for 60-90 minutes, and I will ask many questions about your background, information about the Immigration case, and your life experiences. In the second session, we’ll go through some standardized assessments together, which will objectively diagnosis any mental health conditions, and talk more about how your experiences have impacted you. These conversations can be difficult, and I’ll do my best to make you feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout the process.
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After the second session, I’ll prepare a detailed 10 -12 page report. It's possible that I may reach out for additional information while writing the report. The typical timeframe for completing the full evaluation is 2 - 4 weeks, starting from your first evaluation session. If you have a deadline coming up, I may be able to accommodate an expedited evaluation in less than 2 weeks for an additional fee, and you will still received the same, detailed report.
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If you are using a payment plan, the evaluation will need to be paid in full before your evaluation report can be released. The report will be sent to your lawyer first, who will have the opportunity to review it to ensure the legal aspects are complete and accurate. After that, you and your lawyer will both receive the final, signed copy.
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It’s important to know that while an evaluation can play an important role in your case, it does not guarantee any specific outcome. My goal is to provide a thorough, professional and clinical evaluation that helps to humanize your case.​​
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