Legal Partner Portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

PROCESS AND LOGISTICS

• In what states do you offer services?
  I am only licensed to provide services in Virginia and Florida at this time. I am hoping to open up to additional states by the end of 2025.

• What is your turnaround time for reports?
  I complete reports within 5-7 business days following the last interview for standard evaluations and less than 5 business days following the interview for rush evaluations.

• Do you offer remote or virtual evaluations for clients outside of your immediate area?
  Yes, all evaluations are conducted virtually. If a client lives within the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, in person evaluations at the client’s lawyer’s office may be available at an additional cost. Please contact me for availability.

• Are interpreters available?
  Yes, language support is available at no additional cost.

• What is the process of making a referral, and how soon can you schedule an evaluation?
  The referral process begins with a client reaching out via website contact form or phone. A brief initial consultation is completed and interviews scheduled. Most evaluations are able to be scheduled within one (1) week.

• How many times do you meet with the client before writing the report?
  With standard evaluations, I meet with the client twice, totaling 2 hours of assessment time. For rush evaluations, I meet with the client once for 2.5 hours of assessment time. The inclusion of a translator will increase the time requirement slightly to account for translation time.

• Do you conduct evaluations for clients in detention?
  Yes, as long as the individual is able to meet virtually.

• Can you work with minors or only adults?
  I work with both minors and adults.

REPORT CONTENT & FORMAT

• What is included in your evaluation?
  In every evaluation, I address personal and family background, medical/psychiatric history, current mental health state, any hardship factors, diagnosis (if appropriate), professional recommendations for support, and a review of any related scientific research and literature (if appropriate).

• Do you include a DSM-5 diagnosis in every evaluation?
  I include a relevant DSM-5 diagnosis when appropriate. In cases where a diagnosis is not warranted, I will have a conversation with the client about the results and we will work together to decide how to proceed.

• Do you provide an affidavit format if needed?
  Yes, legal representation can request an affidavit format during consultation and before report writing begins.

• Can you tailor the report to address specific legal questions we have?
  Yes, these legal questions should be addressed during the legal consultation and before the first interview.

COLLABORATION WITH LEGAL TEAMS

• What information do you need from us before starting an evaluation?
  The information gathered before starting the evaluation can make the difference between a “good” report and a case-strengthening, court-ready report. Download the Attorney Referral Checklist for a easy to reference list of required information, then complete the Attorney Referral Form when you’re ready to make a full referral.

• Do you consult with attorneys before finalizing the report?
  Yes, before finalizing your client’s evaluation, I provide attorneys the opportunity to review a draft for clarity and completeness. A pre-finalization check can help ensure the report aligns with your legal arguments and addresses all relevant case elements. Any adjustments are only for clarification; I cannot change the factual findings/clinical conclusions or diagnoses.

• Can you incorporate information from affidavits, declarations, or medical records?
  Yes, these documents often strengthen reports and contain key factual details that will reinforce the credibility of the report and the client’s testimony. I can also contextualize any discrepancies, which further supports an objective report. USCIS prefers evaluations that demonstrate information gathering from multiple outputs rather than relying directly on self-report.

• What’s the best way to communicate with you during the process?
  Referrals are best submitted through our Attorney Referral Form. Additional communication can be by phone or email. All communication methods are confidential.

• Do you charge for calls or emails with the legal team?
  No.

Fees & Payment

• What is your fee for each type of evaluation?
  The standard fee is $1000. Rush evaluations incur a +$500 for a total of $1500.

• Do you require payment upfront?
  For standard evaluations, payment plans are available upon request, after a $160 deposit. Clients may divide the cost into 2 payments ($420 each) or 3 payments ($280 each) with no interest. The report will not be released for review until the balance has been paid in full. Rush evaluations must be paid in full at the time of scheduling.

• Can the law firm pay you directly?
  Law firms may pay for the evaluation directly via credit/debit card, however it is important to note that the individual being evaluated is the client. My primary duty is to the wellbeing of the client and accurate assessment; payment from the law firm will not influence my clinical judgement, findings, or whether I recommend an evaluation at all. It does not create a dual client relationship. The evaluated individual must provide written consent before results are released to the law firm.

• Do you accept legal aid or pro bono cases?
  Legal aid and pro bono cases are accepted on a limited basis. Please contact me to inquire about availability.

COURT & TESTIMONY

• Will you testify in immigration court if needed?
  I do not provide court appearances.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

• How do you work with clients who are reluctant to share their stories?
  This is very normal; many of the experiences clients are coming to me with are traumatic in nature. I use a blend of empathy, trauma informed interviewing skills, cultural humility, and alternative storytelling methods. I often give clients the opportunity to review their evaluation as well to ensure the language used adequately describes their story in a respectful manner. I may also shorten the sessions and schedule more to still meet the 2-2.5 evaluation time, work with the attorney to find alternative ways to gather information, and rely more heavily on corroborating documents and observable symptoms than self report.

• What if the client has no prior mental health history?
  Many clients have no prior mental health history or it was never adequately documented due to stigma, lack of access and education, or fear; the most important piece is connecting current symptoms and observations to the trauma or hardship. In the report, I clearly explain why there’s no history (cultural, systemic issues, personal reasons) and focus on highlighting the consistency between my findings, the client’s narrative, and corroborating evidence.

• What if the client has limited literacy or education?
  If a client has limited formal education, I don’t make any assumptions about their intelligence; I ask questions about their limitations and adapt my approach and assessment provision as appropriate. In the report, I document any adaptations/accommodations with clear reasoning and emphasize consistency across multiple formats. USCIS wants to see that the changes did not effect the accuracy and credibility of the evaluation.

• Can you evaluate clients with ongoing mental health treatment elsewhere?
  Absolutely. There are a few ethical, procedural steps to take, but if a client is receiving mental health treatment elsewhere, that information provides more objective evidence for the case, shows credibility, and demonstrates help seeking behaviors.

• What if the client becomes emotionally distressed during the evaluation?
  If a client becomes emotionally distressed during the evaluation, we will use trauma informed assessment skills to check in with the client, provide the appropriate support, and determine next steps.

• What if I need a second opinion on a case where an evaluation has already been done?
  In cases where a previous mental health evaluation has been completed, I can provide an independent assessment that includes a review of the prior report, relevant case materials, and my own clinical evaluation. My role is to offer an unbiased professional opinion based on current information, which may confirm or differ from the prior findings. If differences arise, I will offer possible reasons for the difference.