Immigration Evaluation That Help You Tell Your Story With Dignity and Strength

An immigration evaluation is an in-depth assessment that helps individuals seeking legal status in the U.S. by documenting the emotional, psychological, and hardship-related impacts of their situation. These evaluations provide crucial support for asylum cases, hardship waivers, VAWA petitions, U-Visas, and more—helping immigrants and their families share their stories and pursue safety, stability, and a better future.

evaluations for immigration

The Immigration Process Is Stressful — Your Evaluation Shouldn’t Be

If you or a loved one is navigating the U.S. immigration system, you already know how overwhelming it can feel. Whether you're applying for asylum, facing family separation, or recovering from trauma, the emotional toll is heavy — and the paperwork doesn’t make it any easier.

That’s where a culturally informed immigration evaluation can make all the difference. At Life Migration Therapy, we provide compassionate, thorough assessments designed to support your case and reflect the truth of your lived experience — without judgment, confusion, or added pressure.

A Licensed Therapist Who Understands the Stakes

As a licensed psychotherapist serving Maryland and Washington, DC, Charika brings cultural awareness, clinical expertise, and years of experience to every immigration evaluation she conducts.

Whether your case involves asylum, a hardship waiver, or a VAWA petition, her role is to document the psychological and emotional effects of your experience through a trauma-informed, evidence-based lens.

Each evaluation is carefully written to meet the standards immigration attorneys and USCIS officials expect — providing a detailed clinical narrative that supports your application.

Expect a supportive, clear process that includes:

  • A comprehensive psychological assessment

  • A detailed report with emotional, cognitive, and diagnostic insights

  • Collaboration with your immigration attorney when needed

  • A safe, affirming space to share your story in confidence

Charika specializes in working with first-generation immigrants, BIPOC individuals, survivors of abuse, and people navigating mental health challenges such as trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Extreme Hardship Waiver Evaluations

If your family risks being torn apart due to immigration challenges, an Extreme Hardship Waiver Evaluation can be a critical part of your legal case.

This psychological evaluation helps demonstrate the emotional, medical, and psychological toll that separation would have on a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.

At Life Migration Therapy, we approach these evaluations with care, compassion, and clinical expertise—offering detailed documentation that humanizes your story and supports your legal process.

Whether you're navigating deportation relief or facing a removal proceeding, this evaluation helps highlight how your absence would create substantial hardship for your loved ones.

Sessions are trauma-informed, culturally aware, and tailored to your lived experience. I collaborate closely with you—and your attorney if applicable—to provide accurate, timely, and thorough documentation.

Asylum Psychological Evaluations

If you’ve fled your home country due to fear of persecution, an Asylum Evaluation can help strengthen your legal case by documenting the emotional and psychological effects of your experience.

At Life Migration Therapy, we offer trauma-informed mental health evaluations for individuals seeking asylum status in the United States—delivered with cultural sensitivity and professional care.

Your story matters. Whether you're escaping violence, discrimination, or threats based on your race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group, this evaluation provides evidence of your mental health history, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and the impact of the threats or trauma you endured.

I work collaboratively with attorneys and immigration professionals to ensure your evaluation meets USCIS standards and deadlines. Sessions are available online for Maryland and Washington, D.C. residents, with weekend availability for those navigating limited schedules.

VAWA Evaluations (Violence Against Women Act)

Survivors of abuse deserve protection, safety, and a path to healing. A VAWA Psychological Evaluation supports individuals—of any gender—who’ve experienced abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child.

At Life Migration Therapy, I provide confidential, trauma-informed evaluations that help document the emotional, psychological, and functional impact of domestic violence, coercion, and control. These reports serve as vital evidence for your VAWA petition, validating your experience with dignity and care.

Your evaluation includes:

  • A detailed clinical interview assessing emotional distress, trauma symptoms, and mental health impact

  • A culturally affirming lens that acknowledges racial identity, power dynamics, and intersectionality

  • A comprehensive report tailored to immigration case requirements

  • Coordination with your immigration lawyer or legal team when requested

Sessions are available both online and in-person for residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C.

U Visa & T Visa Evaluations

If you’ve been the victim of a serious crime or human trafficking, you may be eligible for immigration relief through a U Visa or T Visa.

These special visas protect survivors who have suffered mental, physical, or emotional harm and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

At Life Migration Therapy, I conduct trauma-informed psychological evaluations that document the effects of these traumatic events on your mental health, helping build a stronger, more comprehensive immigration case.

These evaluations provide insight into anxiety, PTSD, depression, and other symptoms you may be experiencing—while honoring your story with compassion, not judgment.

Whether you are applying alone or with a family member, I work to ensure the process is clear, respectful, and tailored to your needs.

Have a Question?

Want to reach out before scheduling a call? Let us know what’s on your mind below.

supporting black african american clients

Immigration Evaluation FAQs

Navigating the immigration system is already complex—your psychological evaluation shouldn’t be.

This FAQ section is designed to answer the most common questions about the immigration evaluation process at Life Migration Therapy. Whether you're applying for asylum, a hardship waiver, or a U or T visa, these answers will help you understand what to expect and how to prepare.

Each evaluation is tailored to your lived experience and handled with trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Read on to learn more about pricing, process, timelines, and how this crucial step can support your path to legal residency in the United States.

  • An immigration psychological evaluation is a formal mental health assessment used to support immigration cases like asylum, VAWA, hardship waivers, and U or T visas. It includes clinical interviews, symptom analysis (such as trauma, depression, or anxiety), and a detailed report prepared by a licensed therapist that aligns with USCIS documentation standards

  • All evaluations are conducted by Charika White, a licensed psychotherapist with specialized experience in trauma-informed care, cultural identity, and the psychological needs of first-generation immigrants and BIPOC individuals in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

  • A well-prepared evaluation can highlight emotional distress, trauma, or mental health symptoms that support the legal requirements of your immigration case. Immigration attorneys often use these reports as critical evidence when filing petitions with USCIS or presenting at hearings.

  • You’ll receive a compassionate, judgment-free experience. The process includes an in-depth interview, mental health screening, and discussion of personal and cultural factors. Sessions are available online or in-person, and your comfort and confidentiality are a priority every step of the way.

  • Standard evaluations are completed within 7–10 business days. Expedited options are available for an additional fee. Reports are comprehensive, detailed, and ready to share with your immigration attorney or legal representative.

  • Yes. Evaluations at Life Migration Therapy are structured to meet USCIS guidelines and are regularly used by immigration attorneys for asylum, VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, and Extreme Hardship Waiver applications.

  • The base fee is $1,000. Expedited evaluations are available for an additional $500.

    This includes all sessions, the written report, and optional collaboration with your attorney.

  • No. While many clients are referred by immigration lawyers, you don’t need one to begin. If you do have legal representation, Charika is happy to coordinate with your attorney to ensure alignment with your immigration strategy.

  • Charika provides a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. Whether you’re a survivor of domestic violence, political persecution, or human trafficking, the evaluation will be handled with care, sensitivity, and confidentiality.

  • Charika offers evaluations for residents of Maryland and Washington, D.C. Sessions can be conducted virtually or in person, depending on your needs and preferences.

Healing Looks Different for Everyone.
Here's What It Felt Like for Them.

  • Charika has completely changed my life! I came in not knowing who I was and left feeling the most certain about my identity and what I wanted for my life.

  • I can't express enough how grateful I am for the incredible support and guidance I’ve received from Ms. White. From the very first session, I felt heard, understood, and safe in a way I never expected. The strategies and insights she provided have been truly transformative, helping me work through issues I thought I would never overcome. Not only did she help me see things from new perspectives, but she also gave me the tools I needed to navigate life's challenges with confidence. Ms. White has been a beacon of support, and I am beyond thankful for her professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to my well-being. Thanks to her expertise, I feel stronger, more self-aware, and better equipped to handle whatever comes my way. I can't recommend her enough!

  • I cannot recommend Ms. White enough. Truly a gifted therapist—mindful, careful, and deeply professional in their approach. What stood out most was their ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space while remaining refreshingly down-to-earth. Every session felt meaningful, and I always leave with new insights and tools to help me grow. Their genuine care and thoughtful guidance have made a lasting impact on my life. Thank you, for all you’ve done!

  • Ms. White is very endearing, charismatic and such a great listener. She truly asks the right questions to help me connect the dots for my therapy. Her vast knowledge and constructive feedback has helped me work on my traumas over the year. In the past, I’ve struggled to connect with other therapists because I am a 1st generation immigrant but Ms White was able to relate to my story because of her immigrant background and her understanding of the cultural challenges I faced. Ms White is kind but she challenges me constantly which I desperately needed in a therapist to really “do the work.”

  • Charika helped me to face my fears, decrease my drinking, and taught me how to sit with the discomforts and navigate in life with the use of healthy coping tools.

  • It's great to work with a therapist who is also from a different. She is warm, knowledgeable and culturally in tune with practices of my country making the sessions feel like I'm with a friend who truly cares.

  • To find a queer, Black immigrant therapist is like finding a unicorn. Charika indeed has been that for me and I cherish the moments we have that allow me to bring all of my true self to our sessions.