Psychological Evaluation
Psychological evaluations are one of the many wonderful ways to understand and learn about one’s psychological functioning. Depending on what question is being asked (or necessitates the need for psychological evaluations), expectations of the psychological evaluations can vary greatly. Often such evaluations involve various ways of gathering information about the individual, which include diagnostic interview, medical records review, collateral interviews with family and teachers, and helpful tools such as psychological testing measures.
Individuals who are referred for psychological evaluations frequently report experiencing a level of anxiety or discomfort about the process. This is more true when they have never undergone such a process and everything about it feels unknown and intimidating. I will guide you through each and every step of the process; before we proceed and throughout the evaluation. I will explain the tools I may or may not use for your needs, and discuss benefits and limits in this process.
Please be advised that it is not always possible for me to address all referral questions. If I find your concern to be out of my practice scope, I will give you other resources and/or lists of other providers who may be able to assist you.
Here is a helpful article published by American Psychological Association (APA) on “Understanding psychological testing and assessment”.
Immigration Evaluation
Strengthen Your Immigration Case with a Psychological Evaluation
What is a Psychological Evaluation for Immigration Cases?
Immigration Evaluations are mental health assessments provided as evidence in an immigration case to help immigration courts determine if an individual can remain in the United States lawfully. The evaluation provides information on the individual’s mental health conditions as well as how changes in the legal status (e.g. deportation, denied reentry) could potentially affect the individual and their family.
For individuals who are required to provide evidence to strengthen their immigration cases, immigration attorneys make referrals for an evaluation as needed. These evaluations are typically performed by licensed mental health clinicians such as a clinical psychologist.
Including a psychological evaluation can strengthen immigration cases, improving chances of approval. For instance, 89% of asylum seekers were granted asylum when such evaluations were included in their cases, relative to the national average of 37.5% approval rate (without the evaluations) among US asylum seekers (read more from this source: Asylum Grant Rates Following Medical Evaluations of Maltreatment among Political Asylum Applicants in the United States).
Psychological evaluations can help the US immigration system better understand the immigration applicants’ individual behaviors, demeanors, and decisions. Especially, in the context of prior traumas, these evaluations give strong voices to those who experienced an array of psychological damages and do not have means to share their stories.
If you have any questions about getting a psychological evaluation for your immigration case, please consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
What are the Types of Immigration Cases for Psychological Evaluation?
There are many kinds, but the most common cases fall into one of three main categories:
1. Extreme hardship waiver & cancellation of removal
For this evaluation, the US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident will be evaluated on how they would be affected (i.e., extreme hardship) if their immigrant family member was not permitted to remain in the US or if they were to be relocated abroad with the family member.
The psychological evaluation can be a critical piece of evidence to support the psychological or emotional hardships that the family member's deportation would create for the qualifying relative.
These evaluations take time and require specialized expertise, but they can make huge differences in the Hardship waiver approval process as numbers of immigration attorneys attest that a psychological evaluation is a very important piece of evidence when applying for a Hardship Waiver.
2. Asylum, VAWA, U & T visas
These types of evaluations are mainly based on traumatic experiences and the impact that the trauma had on individuals. I assist individuals with delivering their stories and documenting their “invisible scars” and psychological harms that resulted from trauma, abuse, violence, crimes, and living in fear.
As an immigration evaluation psychologist, I provide a critical role in helping victims in these cases as the evaluations can facilitate the enhancement of our criminal justice systems. Also, this process promotes the provision of needed support to the victims who can seek resources to process trauma and potentially earn immigration benefits when indicated.
3. Naturalization waivers or N-648
For those with conditions that interfere with their abilities to take the naturalization test due to cognitive or severe psychological impairments, I provide assessment and complete the needed documents.
What does the Immigration Evaluation Process look like?
The psychological evaluation entails an interview or a series of interviews with me along with psychological measures or testing (if deemed necessary). Also, a review of relevant records (e.g., medical records, legal records, supporting documents) that you provide is often included.
Once I receive the referral, you will be asked to schedule an initial phone consultation, which is free of charge. This is done so that we can learn about each other and discuss some basic housekeeping items (e.g., fees, scheduling, policies). I will also send you a packet of paperwork that you will complete prior to your interview appointment. I will put my best effort into scheduling this consultation within a week from the first contact and the interview one week from the initial consultation; please be advised that it is not always guaranteed to schedule your appointments immediately due to potential schedule conflicts. If more than one interview is needed, we will schedule an additional interview.
During your clinical interview(s) with me, I will be asking you questions about your history, current symptoms (if any), stressors in your life, and previous treatment in the past (if any). The whole process typically takes approximately a few hours including the interview(s) and completing the paperwork. If psychological testing is needed, you will be instructed on how to complete them.
After the evaluation is complete, I will write a comprehensive report on the findings. The report will include information about your mental health including diagnoses if applicable, personal history you shared with me through the interview(s), any records you provided to me, a discussion of your mental health that is relevant to your current immigration case, and clinical recommendations (if indicated). Immigration psychological evaluation reports are typically completed two to four weeks after your last interview session. This report will be sent to you and/or your immigration attorney.
Fees and Cancellation Policy
Immigration Evaluations are offered at a fee starting from $1500; N-648 case fees are $720-$900. Each includes an initial 60-minute consultation, charged at $220, to assess the case and determine fitness. Remaining payment is due in full before/at your following evaluation unless a payment plan arrangement has been made. If rush service is requested and can be accommodated, an additional fee will apply. Late cancellations under 48 hours and no-shows are subject to a $300 fee.
Schedule Your Consultation Appointment
I am happy to discuss any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact me at 940.279.2417 or via email at drbaik@re-mindpsychology.com to request an appointment.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
There are many different situations that psychological testing can be utilized. It helps with making more accurate diagnoses and facilitate better treatment planning. It also provides helpful information on how someone is doing in their daily living, which will guide many healthcare providers to implement needed treatment and resources. It is sometimes utilized in legal situations such as disability evaluation, guardianship, and many more. For varying situations, different types of evaluation are utilized and can add a variety of benefits when making decisions on someone’s welfare.
Neuropsychological Testing and Assessment
A test to measure how well a person’s brain is functioning when it is disrupted by a brain injury, psychological disorder, or other health concerns. A neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive test of a wide range of mental functions including behavior such as: general intellect, reading, language usage and comprehension, attention/concentration, learning, processing speed, reasoning, memory, visuospatial skills, motor speed and dexterity, problem-solving, mood and personality and more.
It is often requested for the following reasons:
To help with diagnosis
To determine cognitive strengths and weaknesses
To establish a baseline
To help plan a treatment or other intervention
Sometimes cognitive abilities tend to fluctuate or stay stable. The test results often provide an estimate of the level of your cognitive abilities and will be compared to the patterns of results in case of injury or illness.
The evaluation and testing will consist of gathering information about the patient on medical, psychological and education history and completing various tasks that measure the abilities described above. Once all the information is collected and reviewed, the patient will be given a comprehensive report during the final feedback meeting where I will be discussing the results and recommendations.
Common signs for healthcare professional to make a referral for a neuropsychological assessment:
Changes in short-term memory (e.g., asks the same question repeatedly).
Frequently loses items, gets lost easily.
Confusion.
Poor attention and concentration. (e.g., Doesn’t appear to listen. Gets confused in conversation.)
Language difficulty (e.g., Has difficulty speaking or finding words or cannot understand what others say).
Can’t recognize things or familiar people.
Visuospatial difficulties (e.g., difficulty drawing or using a map).
Poor judgment/decision-making.
Sudden, unexplained changes in personality.
Increase in anxiety or depression.
Development of delusions or hallucinations.
New difficulty with understanding or managing bills or finances.
Other Evaluation Cases
Other Psychological Testing (e.g., Fitness for Duty Evaluation) is available based on case by case.
If you have specific needs or situations for psychological evaluation/assessment, please contact Dr. Baik to consult your needs.