The complete sequence
The process may vary based on the individual case and clinical judgment; this is the shape most evaluations follow.
Appointment request
You send the request form or call the office. The form asks for contact details, language, case type, and any deadline. It never asks for your story.
Preliminary scheduling review
Najla reviews the request, confirms the evaluation fits the case type, and follows up by your preferred contact method with available times and a quote.
Forms and consent
Before the first session you receive intake forms and informed consent, in plain language. Consent covers what the evaluation is, who receives the report, and your rights.
Clinical interview
The core of the evaluation: generally two to three hours, in person in Boca Raton or by secure video, conducted directly in English, Português, or Español.
Additional interviews when needed
Some cases call for a second session, a family member's perspective, or simply more time. That is decided clinically, not by a stopwatch.
Standardized measures when appropriate
Where clinically indicated and within LCSW scope, structured screening tools help document symptoms consistently.
Records review
Attorney referrals, prior filings, declarations, medical or mental health records, and police or protective-order records are reviewed as relevant, with your consent.
Report preparation
The findings become a structured written report: history, observations, clinical findings, and their connection to the referral question, organized for legal review.
Report delivery
Reports are typically completed within seven to fourteen days of the final interview and delivered to you and, with your consent, your attorney.
Follow-up communication
Questions from you or your attorney after delivery are answered. If the case later needs clarification or testimony, that is coordinated with counsel.
Not ready to book yet?
A plain-language walkthrough of a typical evaluation, step by step.
See What to Expect During an EvaluationCommon questions, answered
Common questions about how the process runs.
How long does the whole process take, start to finish?
Interviews can usually be scheduled within one to two weeks of the first call, the interview itself generally takes two to three hours, and the written report typically follows within seven to fourteen days of the final interview. Complex cases or extra records can extend that, and you are told when they do.
Is every evaluation exactly these ten steps?
No. The sequence may vary with the individual case and clinical judgment. Some steps merge, some repeat, and some cases need extra sessions. What never changes is consent first, a careful interview, and a report written for legal review.
Do I need my attorney before starting?
No. Many families reach out first and involve counsel as the case develops. When you do have an attorney, coordination starts at the scheduling review.
What should I bring to the interview?
Yourself, mainly. Records your attorney flagged are helpful, and a rough timeline of events can make the interview easier, but missing paperwork never cancels an appointment.
What happens if more sessions are needed?
Najla tells you directly, explains why, and schedules the additional time. Extra interviews are a clinical decision made for the quality of the report.