My attorney wants me to get a clinical evaluation. What is a clinical evaluation and how can that help me?

A clinical evaluation or psychological evaluation may include a series of formal or organized psychological or neuropsychological tests, as well as clinical interviews aimed at identifying and describing emotional, behavioral, and learning issues.

Psychological tests can be given orally, in writing, or via computer. They may consist of a series of questions to determine how frequently you or a loved one suffer symptoms, or you may be asked to select statements that best reflect how you think, feel, and act. Depending on the test, the procedure can take anything from a few hours to a whole day, and it may be completed in multiple sessions. With Evaluations for Immigration, the clinical evaluation service requires a minimum of 2 sessions that must be scheduled at least one week apart.

But I am not crazy! Why do I need a clinical evaluation?

Having a clinical or psychological evaluation does not mean that you or your loved one is suffering from a mental illness of some sort. Clinical evaluations, although greatly important, do not mean you are troubled. It is simply a secure document that will help your case run smoothly. An immigration attorney might use the clinical exam to help you acquire a hardship waiver. You have a better chance of getting your waiver granted if you have enough evidence that deportation would cause you hardship.

What happens if I do not include a clinical evaluation in my application?

Including a clinical evaluation in your application might be the line between getting accepted or rejected. If you receive a refusal and did not include a clinical evaluation in your application, you can suffer delays. This wait can add to your anxiety and stress, and the prospect of deportation can lead to emotional and financial difficulties for you and your family.