What this evaluation is for
A VAWA psychological evaluation documents the psychological effects of abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult child. It supports a self-petition with clinical findings: what happened is described in your words, and its effects are assessed with professional care.
VAWA protects people of any gender. Sessions are private, unhurried, and conducted directly in English, Português, or Español. A trauma-informed interview never forces detail you are not ready to give, and it never requires you to relive events to prove anything to anyone.
Who this evaluation may be relevant to
- Spouses or former spouses of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who experienced abuse
- Parents abused by a U.S. citizen adult son or daughter
- Children of abusive citizen or resident parents, evaluated in an age-appropriate way
- People of any gender; VAWA is not limited to women
What the interview may address
- The relationship history and patterns of harm, at the level of detail you are comfortable providing
- Emotional effects: fear, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, sleep, and trauma symptoms
- Functional effects: work, parenting, health, and daily life
- Safety, support, and what has helped you cope
- Prior records when they exist, such as medical, police, or protective-order records, reviewed with your consent
Privacy and communication, on your terms
The request form on this site never asks what happened to you. It only asks how to reach you safely and which language you prefer. Tell us the contact method and times that are safe, and that is what will be used. Anything sensitive waits for a private conversation.
Working with your attorney
With your consent, Najla coordinates with your attorney on the referral question, records, and filing timeline. The written report is organized for legal review and prepared with the same care whether the case is filed tomorrow or months from now.
What may help, when you are ready
- Your attorney's referral note, if you have counsel
- Any existing records you already have access to, such as medical or counseling records
- Police, court, or protective-order paperwork, only if it exists and only when you choose to share it
None of this is required to start. Many VAWA evaluations begin with nothing but a conversation.
What the evaluator does not decide
An evaluation documents clinical findings. It is honest, independent, and written for legal review. It is not a legal opinion, and it never promises an outcome.
- Whether the legal requirements of a VAWA self-petition are met. That is decided by the reviewing agency.
- Whether your account is believed or your petition approved. The report documents clinical findings; it does not judge the case.
- Legal advice of any kind. For legal questions, your attorney is the right person.
Not ready to book yet?
A gentle walkthrough of what an evaluation involves. Read it at your own pace before any appointment.
Prepare for an Immigration EvaluationCommon questions, answered
Straight answers before you book.
Do I have to describe the abuse on the request form?
No. The form asks only for contact details, language, and scheduling preferences. Details about your experience are shared later, privately, at whatever pace feels manageable.
Is the evaluation confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential clinical appointments. The written report is shared with you and, through your attorney, with the reviewing agency. Nothing is released without proper consent.
Can men request a VAWA evaluation?
Yes. Despite the name, VAWA protections apply to people of any gender, and evaluations are provided on the same terms.
Can the evaluation happen by video?
Yes. Secure telehealth is available, subject to case-specific requirements, and can be the safer and calmer option for many people. In-person appointments are available in Boca Raton.
What if I do not have an attorney yet?
You can still reach out. The intake call will confirm whether the timing is right and how an evaluation typically fits alongside legal help.