Translate:
Located in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) & Service the State of Texas, United States
VAWA Psychological Evaluations
Clinical Support for VAWA Self-Petitions: Documenting Your Journey to Safety
If you have experienced "battery or extreme cruelty" at the hands of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident spouse, parent, or child, you may be eligible to petition for legal status independently under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Despite its name, VAWA protections apply to all genders. As a licensed mental health professional in Texas, I provide specialized VAWA psychological evaluations that document the hidden wounds of abuse, including emotional, psychological, financial, physical, and sexual to support your Form I-360 self-petition.
Why a Professional Evaluation is Vital for VAWA Cases
In many domestic violence situations, there are no police reports or hospital records. Abusers often use a victim's immigration status as a tool of control, making it difficult to seek help. A psychological evaluation serves as powerful evidence by:
- Establishing "Extreme Cruelty" by documenting patterns of coercive control, isolation, verbal threats, and emotional manipulation.
- Diagnosing Trauma by identifying clinical symptoms of PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, or any other mental health disorder(s) that result directly from the abuse.
- Providing a Narrative of Impact explaining how the abuse has impaired your ability to work, parent, or function in daily life.
- Supporting Credibility with my reports with clinical interviews and standardized psychological testing when necessary to provide a professional, objective corroboration of your experience .
A Trauma-Informed, Safe Environment
I understand that discussing these experiences is difficult. My process is designed to be as supportive and safe as possible:
- Compassionate Interviews: I move at your pace, ensuring you feel heard and respected throughout the assessment.
- From Edinburg, in the Rio Grande Valley, I offer evaluations through secure, confidential telehealth sessions for survivors anywhere in Texas, including McAllen, Brownsville, and Edinburg,
- Cultural Sensitivity: I provide a culturally competent space that understands the unique pressures faced by immigrant communities in South Texas.