T Visa Psychological Evaluations in California
Get T Visa Psychological Evaluation From a Compassionate Psychologist
You've Been Through Enough. Your Psych Evaluation Should Feel Safe.
What happened to you was not your fault. You deserve a psychologist who understands that, who will listen with care, and who will document your experience in a way that holds up in court.
If you’re a survivor of human trafficking applying for a T visa in the United States, a psychological evaluation can be one of the most important parts of your application.
It gives USCIS a clear, clinical picture of the psychological harm you have experienced and what returning to your home country would mean for you.
If you’re an immigration attorney looking for a reliable psychologist for your T visa client in California, you’ll find that my evaluations are thorough, legally contextualized, and written to address the specific requirements of Form I-914.
What Is A T Visa, And Who Is It For?
A T visa (T nonimmigrant status) is a form of immigration relief available to survivors of human trafficking, including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
It allows eligible individuals to remain in the United States for up to four years, with the possibility of applying for a green card.
To qualify, an applicant generally must show that they are or were a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, that they are physically present in the United States as a result of that trafficking, that they have complied with reasonable requests from law enforcement (or qualify for an exemption), and that they would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed from the United States.
A psychological evaluation does not replace the other parts of your application. However, it can be a powerful piece of evidence, particularly for the hardship requirement, and in cases where cooperation with law enforcement has been limited due to trauma.
Why A T Visa Psychological Evaluation Can Make a Difference in Your Case
Human trafficking leaves deep psychological marks. PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociation, difficulty trusting others, and fear of retaliation are common. These are not abstract symptoms. They affect how a survivor functions every day and how they experience the prospect of returning to a country where they were exploited or endangered.
A psychological evaluation for a T visa helps your case by:
Documenting the Psychological Impact of Trafficking
Clinical documentation of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions provides objective evidence of how trafficking has affected your mental health and daily functioning.
Explaining Survivor Behavior to USCIS
Trauma can affect memory, disclosure, and cooperation with authorities. A psychologist can explain these responses clinically, which helps USCIS understand your experience in context rather than misinterpreting it.
Supporting the Extreme Hardship Requirement
The evaluation addresses why returning to your country of origin would cause you unusual and severe harm, including the risk of re-traumatization, lack of mental health support, and ongoing safety concerns.
Meeting the Evidentiary Standards of USCIS
A report from a licensed psychologist carries significant weight in T visa proceedings. It is written to address the specific legal requirements of Form I-914 and the standard of extreme hardship.
Meet Your Evaluator: Dr. Jackie Parke
I’m Dr. Parke, a psychologist licensed in California since 2011.
I work with survivors of trauma and conduct in-depth psychological evaluations for immigration cases, including T visa applications, throughout the state.
I’m also the daughter of an immigrant, so I understand personally how much immigration can shape a family.
I know that coming forward as a trafficking survivor takes courage. My job in the evaluation is not to interrogate you or push you past your limits. It’s to listen carefully, understand what you’ve been through, and put that into clinical language that USCIS can work with.
Here are a few things that set my work apart:
- Three years of internship and fellowship training with a focus on trauma assessment and treatment
- Direct clinical work with trauma survivors and refugees on the Syrian-Turkish border and in Greece, Germany, Lebanon, and southern California
- As a Psy.D.-level psychologist, I have more formal training in assessment than most other mental health providers who conduct immigration evaluations
- Specialized training in trauma-informed interviewing, which means I take care to avoid re-traumatization throughout our interviews
For a detailed view into my extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience related to immigrants and refugees, you can view my CV here.
What My T Visa Psychological Evaluation Covers
Each evaluation is tailored to your situation and meets the clinical and legal standards required for T visa applications filed with USCIS. Here is what is included:
Trauma-Informed Clinical Interview
Approximately 3 hours of trauma-informed conversation covering your background, your trafficking experience, your current psychological state, and how your experience continues to affect your daily life.
Psychological Testing
At least three evidence-based standardized tests that provide objective data on trauma symptoms, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other relevant psychological factors. These results strengthen the clinical foundation of the report.
Comprehensive Written Report
A 14 to 20 page clinical report written for USCIS and immigration court. It documents your trauma history, provides diagnostic impressions, explains survivor behavior, and addresses the legal standard of extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm.
Attorney Coordination
With your permission, I work directly with your immigration attorney throughout the process to make sure the report addresses the specific needs of your case and is ready to file on time.
How The T Visa Evaluation Process Works
The process is designed to be clear and manageable, even when the subject matter is hard.
Step 1
Schedule a Free Consultation
We'll talk briefly about your case, your situation, and what the evaluation involves. There's no pressure and no commitment at this stage.
Step 2
Attend the Evaluation
Meet with me online or in-person in a safe, confidential setting. I'll guide you through the conversation with care and at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Step 3
Receive Your Report
Within 3 weeks, you’ll receive a comprehensive, legally informed psychological evaluation you can submit with your I-914 application.
For Immigration Attorneys: Referring A T Visa Client
If you’re an immigration attorney in California with a T visa client who needs a psychological evaluation, here is what to expect when you work with me:
- Doctoral-level assessment expertise. As a Psy.D.-level psychologist, I bring clinical depth and formal training in assessment that goes beyond what many providers offer.
- Reports written for legal proceedings. My 14 to 20 page reports address the specific legal requirements of Form I-914, including the extreme hardship standard, not just general clinical findings.
- Direct collaboration with your office. With the client’s permission, I coordinate with you during the process to make sure the report fits the needs of the case.
- Reliable turnaround. Standard reports are delivered within 3 weeks. Rush options are available for cases with urgent court dates.
- Telehealth statewide. I can evaluate your client anywhere in California via secure video.
Serving T Visa Clients Throughout California
My office is in Fullerton, California (Orange County), and I see clients in person there.
I also provide secure telehealth evaluations for T visa applicants anywhere in California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, the Inland Empire, Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, and beyond.
If you need our sessions conducted in a language other than English, interpretation services are available at no additional cost. Interpreters should be professional translators rather than a friend or family member, to protect the integrity of the evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About T Visa Psychological Evaluations
What is a T visa psychological evaluation, and do I need one?
A T visa psychological evaluation is a clinical assessment conducted by a licensed psychologist that documents the psychological impact of human trafficking and explains why removal from the United States would cause you extreme hardship.
It is not required for every T visa application, but it is strongly recommended in most cases, particularly where the extreme hardship standard needs to be well-supported, or where trauma has affected your ability to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
Your immigration attorney is the best person to advise you on whether an evaluation is right for your case.
Is the evaluation confidential?
Yes. All evaluation sessions are confidential and protected by HIPAA regulations. The completed report is shared only with the individuals you authorize, typically your immigration attorney.
Do I have to share everything that happened to me?
No. You are always in control of what you share. I use trauma-informed interviewing, which means I will not push you past your limits or require you to recount every detail of your experience.
My goal is to understand the psychological impact of what you’ve been through, and I work carefully to avoid causing additional distress in the process.
How is a T visa evaluation different from a U visa evaluation?
Both evaluate the psychological impact of a traumatic experience, but they are written to address different legal standards.
A T visa evaluation focuses specifically on trafficking and the extreme hardship standard (unusual and severe harm upon removal) required by Form I-914.
A U visa evaluation focuses on the substantial physical or mental abuse suffered by a crime victim.
If you’re unsure which visa you’re applying for, your attorney will guide that decision.
How long does the evaluation process take?
The clinical interviewing typically takes approximately 3 hours (2 interviews, 1.5 hours each).
The completed report is delivered within 3 weeks of your final interview.
If you have an urgent court deadline, rush options are available instead of the 3-week turnaround: a 1-week turnaround for an additional $500 fee, or a 2-week turnaround for an additional $300 fee.
How much does a T visa psychological evaluation cost?
My standard fee is $970. This covers the full clinical process: approximately 3 hours of interviewing, three standardized psychological tests, and 8 or more hours of expert report writing, resulting in a 14- to 20-page report tailored to your case. Payment plans are available, and we can discuss those during your consultation.
If you need a translator for your evaluation, an additional $300 fee applies to cover the additional time and coordination required.
If you need your evaluation completed quickly, rush options are also available:
A $500 rush fee applies for a 1-week turnaround
A $300 rush fee applies for a 2-week turnaround
Rush fees ensure your evaluation is prioritized without compromising quality or thoroughness.
Can the evaluation be done via telehealth?
Yes. Secure telehealth appointments are available for T visa applicants anywhere in California.
What should I bring or prepare?
There is not much you need to prepare ahead of time. If you have supporting documents such as your Form I-914 application, a personal declaration, law enforcement records, or prior medical or mental health records, sharing those can be helpful, but they are not required.
The most important thing is just to come ready to talk at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.
Can I get an evaluation without an immigration attorney?
T visa law is complex, and having an immigration attorney guide your application is strongly recommended.
If you need help finding one, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and local legal aid organizations are good places to start.
Are evaluations available in other languages?
Yes. If you are more comfortable completing your evaluation in another language, I can arrange for a professional interpreter to assist during our evaluation meetings. To protect the integrity and accuracy of the assessment process, the interpreter must be a professional rather than a friend or family member.
Please let me know your preferred language when scheduling your consultation. I will coordinate and hire the interpreter for you. An additional $300 interpreter fee applies.
Take The First Step Toward Your T Visa Evaluation
I work with T visa applicants and immigration attorneys throughout California.
If you have questions or are ready to get started, schedule a free consultation and we can talk through whether this evaluation is the right fit for your situation.
