Immigration Evaluations in Arizona

Trauma-informed immigration evaluations in Arizona. Psychological evals available in English and Spanish for VAWA, U Visas, T Visas, and Hardship Waivers.

Serving clients across Arizona via secure telehealth

ARIZONA IMMIGRATION EVALUATIONS

Immigration evaluations can bring up a lot. We keep the process grounded, explain what to expect, and move at a pace that supports accurate documentation without rushing your story. Our goal is to provide a clinically sound evaluation and a written report that attorneys can rely on.

At Nueva Vida Therapy, we complete comprehensive immigration mental health evaluations that document symptoms, relevant history, and day-to-day impact. Our approach is compassionate and organized, with a report written specifically for legal use. We also prioritize a process that feels steady for clients while staying straightforward for attorneys.

Clear, trauma-informed immigration evaluations to support your immigration case

IMMIGRATION EVALUATION THERAPIST IN ARIZONA

Serving Arizona clients and attorneys statewide

We provide immigration mental health evaluations for clients located throughout Arizona. For clients anywhere in the state, we offer secure online evaluations. Arizona is home to diverse immigrant communities, and we regularly support both individuals and attorneys statewide with a clear process, organized timelines, and trauma-informed care.

Common areas we serve

  • Scottsdale / Paradise Valley area: 85253, 85262, 85266

  • North Phoenix area: 85083, 85054, 85050

  • East Valley area: 85255, 85259, 85260

  • We also frequently receive referrals connected to the Phoenix metro, Mesa, Glendale and Tucson areas, where immigration legal support is often needed.

Not located in one of these zip codes? We still serve clients statewide.

VAWA, U VISAS, T VISAS, AND HARDSHIP WAIVERS

We provide mental health evaluations that can strengthen your immigration case and support your claim with clear clinical documentation.

Our experienced therapists provide compassionate, evidence-informed evaluations that highlight the emotional and functional impact of trauma, hardship, and life experiences for VAWA, U visa, T visa, hardship waiver, and cancellation of removal cases. We aim to make the process feel clear and grounded, while producing a report that supports legal decision-making.

A clipart image of someone using a clipboard and paper to do a professional assessment during the immigration evaluation in Chula Vista, California.

Clinically Grounded and Trauma-Informed Approach
We use a structured evaluation approach that documents symptoms and real-world impact in a respectful way.

A clipart image of a woman sitting in a chair and taking notes to represent the two sessions that are required to understand specifics during your immigration evaluation in Chula Vista, California

Online Evaluation Appointment
Most evaluations are completed in one 2-3hr appointment. If additional time is clinically appropriate, we will schedule a follow-up appointment.

A clipart image of paperwork that represents the 15-25 pages of detailed discussion written out for your immigration evaluation in Chula Vista, California

Written Report for Legal Submission
We provide a clear, organized written report that attorneys can use as part of an immigration filing, with standard and expedited timeline options.

How to Prepare for Your Immigration Evaluation

✓Write down a simple timeline of key events

✓Locate any documents your attorney wants you to share

✓Plan for privacy during the appointment

✓Water, tissues, and breaks are always welcome

My Immigration Evaluation Process

  • We begin with a brief phone consultation to understand your needs and determine whether an immigration evaluation is the right next step.

    We will ask about your situation, the type of evaluation you are seeking, whether you are working with an attorney, and any deadlines that may affect timing. We will also explain what the evaluation involves so you can make an informed decision before scheduling.

  • If an evaluation is appropriate, we schedule an online evaluation appointment that is typically 2 to 3 hours. If additional time is clinically appropriate, we may schedule a second appointment to make sure we can proceed carefully and thoroughly.

    During the appointment, we gather relevant background and discuss your experiences in order to document the emotional and functional impact of trauma, hardship, or other qualifying circumstances. We guide the process with empathy and structure, ask clarifying questions, and support a pace that feels steady and respectful.

  • After the evaluation appointment, we compile the information from the evaluation and prepare a comprehensive written report. Standard report completion is typically about two weeks.

    Reports commonly range from 10 to 25 pages and often include an overview of the evaluation steps, a detailed clinical summary, and documentation of symptoms and functional impact. When relevant, the report may also address impacts on others involved in the case and include additional clinically relevant information used in immigration filings.

FOR ATTORNEYS

Immigration evaluations that are organized, timely, and client-centered

Nueva Vida Therapy provides immigration mental health evaluations for clients located in Arizona with clear steps, reliable timelines, and a report prepared for legal submission. With a signed Release of Information, we coordinate directly with counsel to streamline scheduling, confirm deadlines, and support the referral process.

  • We provide evaluations for:

    • VAWA

    • U Visa

    • T Visa

    • Extreme Hardship Waivers

    • Cancellation of Removal

    • Reports commonly range from 10 to 25 pages, depending on the case

    • Standard report delivery is typically about two weeks after the evaluation appointment

    • Expedited timelines may be available (7-day and 5-day options, based on availability).

    • Most evaluations are completed in one 2–3 hour appointment. A second appointment may be scheduled if clinically indicated.

    • Immigration evaluations available in English and Spanish.

    • We require a signed Release of Information before communicating with counsel.

    • Once we receive the referral and confirm fit/availability, we coordinate directly with the client to schedule.

    • If you have declarations, prior evaluations, relevant medical/mental health records, or a case timeline, we can review what’s provided and clinically relevant.

  • Leslie Farías Sánchez personally provides immigration evaluation services in Arizona, under her Marriage and Family Therapist licensure (#16297).

    Appointments are available via secure telehealth throughout the state. Leslie also provides immigration evals to clients located in California and Oregon.

    Immigration evaluations for clients located in other states are provided through Nueva Vida Therapy’s network of vetted, independently licensed contractor clinicians who are authorized to practice in the client’s state at the time of service.

  • To streamline intake, please include:

    • Client name + best contact info

    • Case type and any filing deadlines

    • Preferred language (English/Spanish)

    • Any key documents you’d like considered (declaration, timeline, prior evaluations, supporting records)

    • Any specific questions you want the evaluation to address (as clinically appropriate)

  • Our standard fees are:

    • U Visa, T Visa, and VAWA: $1000

    • Hardship Evaluation: $1050

    Your fee includes the full evaluation appointment (typically 2 to 3 hours) and a written report (commonly 10 to 25 pages) prepared for immigration filings.

    If you have a deadline, expedited report timelines may be available for an additional fee, depending on provider availability:

    • 7-day delivery: +$200

    • 5-day delivery: +$350

  • We cannot determine legal eligibility or advise on which petition applies. That decision belongs to your attorney.

    What we can do is help you understand whether an evaluation is clinically appropriate based on what you share during a brief consultation. If an evaluation does not appear to be a fit, we will be upfront so you can make an informed decision.

  • We do not provide ongoing therapy to clients we evaluate for immigration purposes. Keeping evaluation and therapy separate helps maintain the independence of the evaluation and protects the credibility of the written report.

    If you would like therapy resources, we can share referral options aligned with your preferences and needs.

  • It’s completely understandable to feel unsure about sharing painful experiences. We guide the evaluation gently and explain what information is clinically relevant, without pushing you to move faster than you can.

    You remain in control throughout the appointment. We can pause, take breaks, and slow down as needed while still completing a thorough evaluation.

  • Yes. Your evaluation is confidential. We only share the written report with the people you authorize.

    If you would like us to communicate with your attorney, we will ask you to sign a Release of Information. Without written permission, we do not communicate with anyone about your evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Evaluations

  • VAWA is a federal law that may allow certain non-citizens who have experienced abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult child to pursue immigration relief.

    In VAWA-related cases, an evaluation can help document the psychological impact of abuse, including symptoms, emotional functioning, and how daily life has been affected.

  • A U Visa may be available to individuals who experienced a qualifying crime in the United States and have been helpful, are being helpful, or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement during an investigation or prosecution.

    A mental health evaluation can support the clinical portion of the case by describing trauma-related symptoms and the ways the crime has affected functioning, safety, and well-being.

  • A T Visa is intended for individuals who have experienced a severe form of human trafficking and meet additional eligibility requirements related to safety and cooperation.

    An evaluation can help document trauma exposure, mental health symptoms, and the broader impact of trafficking on emotional health, relationships, work, and daily functioning.

  • Hardship waivers are used in certain cases where someone must show that a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member would experience extreme hardship if immigration status is denied.

    A mental health evaluation can help clarify the emotional and psychological impact of the hardship and describe how it affects day-to-day functioning and stability.

  • Cancellation of Removal is a type of immigration relief that may apply in some removal cases. If your attorney recommends an evaluation, our work focuses on documenting mental health symptoms, functional impact, and clinically relevant history in a clear written report. We aim to keep the evaluation process structured and supportive while producing documentation that can be used in an immigration filing.

Understanding VAWA, U Visas, T Visas & Hardship Waivers

Not sure which applies? Your attorney will confirm your legal path. We focus on the clinical evaluation.

IMMIGRATION EVALS IN ARIZONA

Questions about the immigration evaluation process?

We are here to help you navigate through this difficult process, and want to support you in your journey toward a better future.