I offer psychological immigration evaluations for the following types of cases: Extreme Hardship Waivers (I-601, I-601A, I-212, etc.). Describe how psychologists can train and prepare to work with immigrant communities in clinical and forensic settings. I have received accolades from award winning attorneys who have had favorable outcomes to their cases with the aid of her evaluations. Contact us for more information today! Our providers are recognized as expert witnesses in federal immigration court. We offer mental health evaluations and psychological evaluations for immigration purposes. Call or Email Rob. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. and at crossroads with the court system. Email: Dalissy.Washington@thecompassionagents.com, Based in Wilmington, DE & Philadelphia, PA. Sign up with your email address to receive news and promotions. We help with the insurance preauthorization process and can usually complete the entire process within 1-3 months. Misconceptions about culture or encouraging patients to assimilate without care for cultural heritage can directly harm patients, said Rehman Abdulrehman, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Manitoba who works with refugees from the Middle East. A 12-year-old girl fleeing gangs in El Salvador arrives in Texas alone because her mother died during the journey. Developing expertise in cultural competence, trauma-informed care, narrative therapy, and other strategies can position practitioners for success in working with the largest immigrant population in the world. I am passionate about helping people to promote well-being and to manage emotional distress and psychiatric symptoms. Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to: For more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to CE Corner. 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. This protects client information and allows clients to be anywhere in the world while still receiving the quality appointment they deserve. One highly effective way to serve children is through school-based programs, because barriers such as cost, transportation, and stigma are removed or reduced, said Wang, who helped create a three-tiered model of mental health care for immigrant youth (Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, Vol. All evaluations are done virtually at this time. All Rights Reserved. 36, No. If you are an attorney, you already know! My interests also include developmental disabilities, parenting, and the special concerns of very able individuals. Research shows that an asylum seekerwith a forensicevaluation and a lawyer isalmost, Medical Certification of Disability (N-648). 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. Given the high rates of trauma among immigrant populations, a key tenet of immigration psychology is to approach treatment in a trauma-informed way (Miller, K. K., et al., Children, Vol. Abrams, Z. Immigrants may face a range of challenging circumstances, including racism, acculturation, and trauma. LI Therapy is the most powerfully healing approach I have used in 35 years! The report will be released once the remaining balance is paid. Because of this, I am able to have a unique and informed lens when writing these reports. Clients report more joy and being "grounded!" All evaluations are done virtually at this time. We collaborate with immigration attorneys locally and nationally, and if you do not have an attorney, we can refer you to a lawyer that is experienced in immigration matters. assess the seriousness of a problem and the best way to cope with it. Behavioral prescriptions can allow people to begin to address the problems theyre facing as a health issue rather than as a mental illness, he said. We remove that barrier by providing high-quality, subsidized psychological evaluations to low-income immigrants who need them, thus roughly doubling the likelihood that their case will succeed. The report clearly differentiates the client's mental state pre- and post-trauma and includes clinical diagnoses. This time has been set aside for your appointment, and it is not always possible to fill that time with short notice. Lessons from an Olympic Champion Danell Leyva, Afraid to try new things? Psychologists do not need to match their patients nationality or experiences in order to help. Upon successful completion of the testa score of 75% or higheryou can immediately print your certificate. Call today for professional therapy services. 6, No. He has a postdoctoral Certificate of Specialization in Neuropsychology. In those cases, we will work closely with your attorney to determine the issues that need to be addressed in your evaluation and report. Reimbursement for psychological evaluations and testing is limited to the terms and conditions outlined in the Community Services Division (CSD) Mental Incapacity Evaluation (MIE)contract. 78, 2019). 9, No. Julia McLawsen, PhD, 1400 112th Ave SE, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004. 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. Many clients are afraid and stressed. Hi, my name is Mackenzi and Im glad youre here. Mental Health and PsychoEducational Evaluations. All Mental Health Immigration Evaluations are done by appropriately trained psychotherapist and psychologists who are experienced in the specific type of evaluation you need for your immigration petition. Then, narrow your search by gender, location, language spoken, type of evaluation needed, who offers expedited evals, and more! For example, women from the Maasai society in East Africa are taught not to look men in the eye and to let men speak first during social interactions. Bothered by old memories? In tandem with acculturation efforts, providers should help immigrants maintain pride in their own identity, culture, and practices, said Minero. Over the past decade, she has provided assessments for hundreds of immigrants from around the world with an exceptionally high success rate. At this stage, many immigrants of color also face bias and discrimination because of their race, which can affect their mental health (Garcini, L. M., Psychology of Violence, Vol. I embrace all walks of life, and view each story as valid and important. Our therapists are fully licensed in the state of Washington, and are bilingual in English and Spanish. Immigrants arrive in the United States with a vast diversity of religious, linguistic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. 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 . They also come to this country for a variety of reasonssome are seeking work, some fleeing violence, and others reuniting with family members. Growth and change is often difficult and painful, but the pain and fear you're feeling is probably worse. help you to answer your questions and manage your problems. MIEContractors must enroll in ProviderOne to claim reimbursement for these services. Before clinicians begin working with immigrants and refugees, they should understand the context of immigration in the United States, both today and historically. I have had several years of experience and have submitted hundreds of detailed evaluation reports. All Mental Health Immigration Evaluations are done by appropriately trained psychotherapist and psychologists who are experienced in the specific type of evaluation you need for your immigration petition. Some people may feel uncomfortable with technology, but I will work with clients every step of the way to ensure they're taken care of. Painful, traumatic scars are replaced with a sense of peace, hope, self-worth, and confidence. Thank you! I work with people everyday who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, identity confusion, relationship problems, or feel like their emotions are out of control. Gaining additional knowledge and experience with cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and immigration policy can further amplify their impact. Your painful lessons can turn into stepping-stones. Within our sorrows and fears is the strength needed to overcome our challenges. 2023 Dr. Chantal Gagnon, Ph.D., LMHC. Psychological Evaluations Can Greatly Improve Your Chances of Success. Those barriers include everything from busy schedules, cost, and lack of transportation to mental health stigma and fear that information they share with a psychologist might be mishandled, said psychologist Luz Garcini, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio who conducts research on trauma among Latinx immigrants. I know how important it is to get your documents as quickly as possible, so that is why I have guaranteed a fast turn around for reports. During this process, its important for the patient to know that theyre the expert of their own story, Cadenas said. Panic Attack Symptoms: Understanding and Overcoming Your Anxiety. Competitive pricing and a pro-bono waitlist available. I have extensive training in trauma, anxiety, and domestic violence. Immigration law is one of the most complicated areas in the legal field. My ideal client is a married couple with relationship challenges and I use some of the Gottman material. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused CBT are also good options, especially if talking about mental health is not common among the population being treated, Abdulrehman said. From the moment I have received all of the necessary information, the timer begins. Migratory trauma might include further threats, starvation, and physical or sexual assault. All a client needs is a smartphone, computer, or tablet. Evaluations, Psychotherapy, & Life Coaching, Mental Health Insurance, Payment and Fees. Premigratory losses and exposures can include disruptions in work, school, or family life, such as a family who flees threats of sexual violence from a local gang, said Elena Reyes, PhD, a professor of clinical psychology and regional director for Florida State Universitys College of Medicine in southwest Florida. At the integrated care practice where Reyes works, providers teach parents communication skills, such as age-appropriate ways to discuss the familys immigration status with children and what to expect and do if a parent is deported. If you have been arrested for a crime, either in the United States or in your country or origin and are petitioning for a Visa, Green Card, or Citizenship, you may be required to obtain what is called a Risk of Recidivism Evaluation. . 65, No. It is important to seek someone who practices evidence-based therapy, meaning one or more forms of treatment that have been scientifically evaluated and tested, and demonstrate consistent improvement for a majority of patients. This work is my passion, and I am honored to be a part of the journey for my clients. The Istanbul Protocol is an ofcial document of the United Nations (UN Resolution 55/89) and provides international guidelines for legal, medical, and psychological professionals to . U-Visa Evaluations conducted by mental health professionals are used to document the type and extended of the psychological damage and distress you suffered as a result of your victimization. Samuel Kane, MA, LMHC, PhD is a Clinical Psychology Graduate from the California School of Professional Psychology. I spend the first session getting to know the child and family in order to work with the family to determine the type of treatment that best suits their needs. We provide individual/group therapy and education services to support children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. Court testimony for immigration courts can be provided at an additional cost. The base fee for a psychological immigration evaluation is $900. In some immigration cases, a psychological evaluation report can be valuable evidence. Trauma-informed care, narrative therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective treatment modalities for immigrant populations. Plantation Psychiatry Child, Adolescent and Adult, DBT Therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Description of All Mental Health Evaluations Offered. If you do not have an attorney, we can refer you to an attorney who is experienced with VAWA petitions. Practitioners working with children should also consider the developmental disruptions that occurred during migration, said Reyes. [Eds. 2, 2016). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are okay with that. I will get back to you shortly if I have any questions. The remaining balance is due prior to submission of the final report. How can we appreciate and understand what works best for you or your loved one? Next, psychologists must identify and dispel any biases and misconceptions they may have about immigrants. 16, No. It is important . Finding a psychologist or therapist who is a good fit for you is the most important step to discovering what type of therapy, or combination of therapeutic approaches, will meet your individual needs. To be placed on the pro-bono waitlist, please indicate this on the referral form. Contctanos para ms informacin hoy! Refugee mental health Then, narrow your search by gender, location, language spoken, type of evaluation needed, who offers expedited evals, and more! Cultural competence also requires that practitioners know how values can impact therapeutic work. PreMarital Counseling: Will it Help Your Marriage? As Afghans reel from crisis, psychology can play a key role in helping refugees resettle. Though the evaluation can seem like a large investment, the carefully detailed report can add intense value to the case. Do you currently havean immigration legal case? Clinicians can help patients practice monitoring their thoughts and behaviors and teach them about cognitive restructuring, emotion regulation, and other techniques (Friedberg, R. D., et al., Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Immigrant Youth: The Essentials. In S. Patel & D. Reicherter [Eds. Quality, communication, and speed are three very important values to me. Their work typically involves assessing the extent of psychological harm and, in asylum cases, whether it stems from persecution the patient endured. We have been providing immigration psychological services for over 10 years and our qualified providers offer services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We average over 100 cases per year and practice up and down the East Coast. 5 Ways to Improve Mental Health & Increase Happiness. It is important that we have the full two hours set aside for your appointment. If an evaluation is needed sooner than 5 business days, you can pay for an expedited report. These individuals often face gang violence and threats, domestic violence, and sexual violence in their home countries. Are You Emotionally Out of Gas? Aten, J. D., & Hwang, J. I particularly enjoy working with children birth through five as well as teenagers, which means I also work closely with caregivers. It can happen that this relationship becomes abusive, with the American citizen as the abuser and the immigrant spouse as the victim. I will provide you with non-judgmental support and careful guidance through this process. You and I will seek them together. Providers can then work with families to reach the developmental milestones missed because of the immigration process. Dr. Chantal Marie Gagnon, Ph.D., LMHC, CAP, SAP Some clients feel unsupported, unappreciated, or invalidated and struggle with communicating with their loved ones. This is a scary process, and feels very urgent! Without knowledge of the practice, a clinician might view such behavior as codependent. We also provide Expert Witness Services and Courtroom Testimony. ], The Immigrant Paradox in Children and Adolescents, APA Books, 2012). I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing distressing reactions following traumatic events like dissociation, anxiety and depression. Florida (LCSW telehealth provider TPSW1208)Maryland (LCSW-C 14607) Virginia (LCSW 0904007068) Washington, DC (LICSW LC50079749) Upon reaching the United States, immigrants and refugees from around the world face additional hurdles in navigating the immigration system, finding a job, and overcoming language and cultural barriers. The video cannot be shown. Whatever pressing need you may have, reaching out for help is your first step. We are Open! Call or message any of our professionals to set up a meeting or appointment. Dr. Hunter is a Board Certified Forensic Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Washington and Arizona. These experiences can lead to painful thoughts like you are unsafe or worthlessness and lead to feelings of emptiness and withdrawal. The evaluation is a bio/psycho/social assessment conducted by a licensed clinician, that assesses your mental health status, medical conditions, current life . 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