Protect Yourself from Scams When Seeking an Immigration Mental Health Evaluation

A couple was recently referred to me who had been the victims of a scam - someone offered to complete the mental health evaluation for their immigration case and was suddenly unreachable after they paid in full. I’m heartbroken for their experience - they placed their trust in someone to help them and were taken advantage of. They were devastated and understandably cautious about trusting anyone again.

If you’ve had a similar experience, you’re not alone and you deserve to feel safe and informed before working with an evaluator. Here are some things you can look for to make sure you’re working with a qualified, licensed professional.

Check for a professional license.

A legitimate evaluator will always hold an active professional license, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The actual titles will vary between states, however what will remain constant is the ability to confirm the legitimacy of their license through state licensing databases, which are public and free to use. For example, you can verify my credentials (VA 0701009417, FL TPMC2446) here:

If someone refuses to share their license number or full name as it appears on their license, that’s a huge red flag.

Confirm the Business Exists

Reputable professionals operate through registered businesses and group practices. Business registration shows that the provider is accountable to state regulations, not operating anonymously online. For example, you can confirm my practice, Esprit Therapeutics, LLC is a registered Virginia business here (Entity ID: 11098957): https://cis.scc.virginia.gov. It will show my business formation date, my status with the state, and the effective date of my status.

Look for an official website and professional contact information

This one is a little complicated because a website is not required to be a legitimate provider, however it helps when a professional has an official website (ideally with its own domain name) and contact details that match the practice name.

My website - www.esprittherapeutics.com - includes service descriptions, policies, and secure ways to contact me directly. If a provider only communicates through messaging apps or general email (like gmail.com or WhatsApp) and can’t provide a website, that’s another warning sign.

Ask about their process

Scammers often avaoid details and explaining how the evaluation works. A legitimate evaluator should be able to clearly outline their process. For example. here’s what my process looks like:

  1. Option free consultation

  2. Informed consent and secure intake paperwork

  3. Scheduling interviews and payment (either deposit or in full)

  4. Interview(s) are conducted via HIPAA compliant video platforms

  5. Report drafted and finalized

  6. Secure electronic delivery of the completed report

  7. Up to 2 revisions, if necessary

Transparency is a major marker of professionalism. You should always know what to expect.

Confirm privacy and security practices

Legitimate mental health professionals are legally required to protect your confidentiality. They use HIPAA compliant systems for video sessions, forms, and document storage. You should also receive clear written informed consent documents before starting which will outline your rights, fees, and the limits to confidentiality. After a lot of research, I chose to invest in Carepatron (https://www.carepatron.com/) as my electronic health record for my immigration mental health evaluations, which comes complete with all of the above in one ecosystem.

Trust your gut and take your time

If something feels rushed, unclear, or pressured, slow down. A legitimate evaluator will respect your need to verify their credentials and move at your own pace.

It’s always okay to ask questions like:

  • “Can you share your license number?”

  • “Do you have a business registration?”

  • “What platform do you use for sessions?”

  • “Will I receive a written report at the end?”

My commitment to my clients

I know how much trust it takes to share your story, especially when the stakes are so high. At Esprit Therapeutics, LLC I provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive immigration mental health evaluations written with USCIS and court standards in mind. All sessions are conducted securely, all policies are transparent, and all clients receive clear documentation every step of the way.

You deserve an evaluation process that feels safe, ethical, and professional from the start.

If you’re exploring an evaluation: You can learn more and schedule a brief