As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois, I am able and authorized to conduct and complete Psychological Evaluations for Immigration Visas. Psychological evaluations for immigration visas can be a useful document for visa applications and appeals, immigration hearings, and for preventing deportations.I do not offer legal counsel, and cannot advise whether or not a particular case would or would not benefit from an evaluation.
I have completed nearly 100 psyschological evaluations for various immigration visas for people from around the world. I am happy to work with English language learners with translation and interpretation services. Moreover, I have partnered with dozens of attorneys and law groups from around the US to collaborate on various visa application cases.
It is my personal and professional belief that people have a right to migrate. Not only that, but migration can save people’s lives and improve their family’s lives, as well as the lives of the communities that welcome visa applicants and recipients.
I have experience completing psychological evaluations for
- Asylum visa applications
- U-VISA applications
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Visa applications
- Hardships Waivers
What to expect in the evaluation process
Many people may not be aware of what the psychological evaluation process for immigration visas entail. Below you will find an order of operations for the psychological evaluation process with Cicada Counseling Chicago (the entire process occurs virtually):
- Reach out to me (at thalia@cicadacounselingchicago.com, or 773-694-4556, or through client’s attorney) to discuss the particulars of client’s case (interpretation needs, specific visa application, and unique particulars of any given case).
- Sign a contract / service agreement with Tikka Counseling PLLC / Cicada Counseling Chicago, which details: client’s rights and responsibilities; agreed upon cost of services; date of evaluation submission; expectations and costs of court appearance; and a release of Information between myself and client’s attorney / contracted law group.
- 25% of total cost of service to be paid upon scheduling interviews.
- Schedule two one-hour virtual interviews.
- The first interview will review client’s affidavit and other relevant case details, as well as collect biopsychosocial data and personal history that will be used to inform the evaluation.
- In the second interview we will conduct several clinical mental health assessments to determine qualifications for provisional diagnoses.
- The evaluation will be written in the timeframe agreed upon in the client contract.
- The evaluation will be submitted for client and attorney to proof read. Revisions are welcome. I do not charge for most revisions, though if special sections are requested to be added that would require an additional interview or further research, I may bill at my hourly sliding scale rate.
- The remaining balance to be paid prior to final evaluation submission.
- The final evaluation will be submitted to client and attorney with my signature.
- I will be available for court testimonials should that be requested. There is an extra charge for court appearances.
Pricing for Evaluation Services
Notes on pricing
- All pricing is subject to change and clients will be informed of changes prior to signing contracts. Contracts will detail the specific costs of servies, this page serves as a guide but is not legally binding.
- Payments are usually made through Theranest/Ensora, though we can accept Zelle, Venmo, and Stripe payments.
- I am open to payment plans
- I will never contact debt collectors for outstanding payments
- I have a sliding scale for prospective clients experiencing economic hardship that may be discussed further via email or over the phone.
I offer fair and reasonable pricing for people in a variety of circumstances and financial situations. Below please find the base cost approximation for services related to the amount of time the evaluation is requested to be completed.
- ~4 weeks: $1,250
- ~3 weeks: $1,500
- ~2 weeks: $1,750
- ~1 week: $2,000
25% of the total cost will be paid after signing the contract and the remaining balance will be paid prior to sending the final (revised and signed) evaluation to client and attorney.
For court appearances I charge based on length of time I am requested to be present at the virtual court and when the the court date is scheduled for at the time of signing our service agreement.
- ~4 weeks from signing contract: $200 per hour
- ~3 week from signing contract: $300 per hour
- ~ 2 weeks from signing contract: $400 per hour
- ~1 week from signing contract: $500 per hour
Feel free to reach out to me at thalia@cicadacounselingchicago.com or (773) 694-4556 for more information
Best of luck in your visa application process!