top of page

FOR INDIVIDUALS IN
NEW HAMPSHIRE & MASSACHUSETTS  

Immigration Evaluations

All evaluations are conducted by a licensed clinician.  Stepping Stones to Well Being, LLC provides comprehensive documentation to support your immigration journey.

Frequently Asked Question About Immigration Evaluations

  • Can you perform N648 evaluations?
    The N648 evaluation is a specific wavier that assess cognitive or psychological impairments that would prevent an individual from taking the naturalization/citizenship exam. These evaluations can only be performed by specific qualified providers. Per USCIS these providers are either an MD or DO (medical doctor) or a licensed clinical psychologist.
  • In what locations are the immigration evaluations offered?
    At the current time, Stepping Stones to Well Being, LLC is licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is hoped that additional locations will be offered in the future.
  • How are evaluations conducted?
    Evaluations may be through a HIPAA Compliant video service (i.e. Zoom, Doxy.Me, etc.) or in some cases in person, depending on location. This can be discussed at the time of referral and discussion with the client.
  • Do you have experience in working with the specialized population of immigrants and asylum seekers?  
    Yes. I have experience in working as a clinician with refugee and immigrant clients, including those who may have survived torture and are seeking asylum. Many of the clients have experienced some form of trauma. Through this work I also spent a considerable amount of time providing support about the process of resettlement, parenting, changes in family dynamics, acculturation challenges, and navigating the educational and medical systems that are a new experience. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
  • What training have you received to provide these evaluations?
    As part of my education, training and experience as a social worker I have written many reports, treatment summaries, and other letters. As mentioned previously, I worked for a number of years with clients who have come to the United States as refugees, asylees, and undocumented minors. In addition to these experiences and as part of my own training and education related to immigration evaluations, I have attended a live training with Georgia King.
  • Do you have experience in working with interpreters?
    Absolutely. Many of the clients that I have worked with as a clinician needed to use an interpreter for appointments. I have experience in both using face-to-face as well as telephonic interpreters. If a client does need/require an interpreter, a trained interpreter will be utilized. The use of an interpreter will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
  • What happens if my client requires an interpreter?
    This will be discussed on an individual basis. If an interpreter is needed for the evaluation, only trained interpreters are able to be used. Family members or friends are not able to serve in this role. This is important for information to be reported and captured through the evaluation process.
  • Can you see clients for individual therapy or medication services after the evaluation is completed?
    Unfortunately, no. It is understandable that some clients may develop a feeling of comfort and connection with an evaluator, particularly when intense and personal information is being shared. To be most helpful and effective, the evaluation must be objective. As a therapist, I must maintain the ethics of the counseling profession and also maintain my role as the evaluator. If therapy or medication services were a part of the process in seeing a client, even after an evaluation is completed, it could be considered a dual relationship which then may also bring into question the objectivity of the evaluation that was provided for the client and could jeopardize their immigration process. If a client does express a desire for therapy or medication services, it is feasible to discuss referrals that would be appropriate.
  • Is it possible to see a draft of the report before it is finalized?
    Absolutely. The report will be sent to you before it is finalized and if there are clarifications necessary, they will be discussed.
  • How quickly can you see a client for an evaluation?
    Typically the evaluations can take place within two (2) weeks of a referral.
  • How quickly is a report able to be generated?
    A report will be available within three (3) weeks of the last appointment with the client. If a report is needed in a more expedited fashion, this can be discussed at the time of the referral and an additional nominal fee will be required. This will also be discussed at the time of the referral.
Evaluations are able to be completed for the following needs:

Extreme And Exceptional Hardship

​

Applying for a hardship waiver becomes essential when the separation from a relative living in the United States poses a threat of significant harm. Our immigration evaluation aims to comprehensively assess the potential extreme and exceptional hardships you may face, providing the necessary documentation to support your waiver application.

​

Political Asylum

​

For those forced to flee their home country and seek refuge in the United States, a political asylum waiver becomes a lifeline. An evaluation can play a significant role in substantiating claims of severe psychological damage that would prevent you from returning to your home country.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Spousal Abuse, or VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)

​

Undocumented immigrants facing abuse from a US citizen spouse can seek legal separation through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The goal during the evaluation is to establish the mental, emotional, or physical abuse suffered, providing the necessary evidence to support your petition for legal status independent of your abusive spouse.

​

U-Visa

​

Designed for victims of crimes that occurred within the United States, the U-Visa offers protection to those who have experienced domestic violence, physical or sexual exploitation, kidnapping, trafficking, rape, or serious misdemeanors. The immigration evaluation focuses on documenting the trauma and hardships endured, reinforcing your eligibility for the U-Visa.

​

T-Visa

​

Similar to the U-Visa, the T-Visa is specifically for individuals who were trafficked into the United States. The immigration evaluation is tailored to substantiate the circumstances of trafficking, providing a comprehensive account that supports your application for the T-Visa.

Questions that may be of help for Immigration Attorneys

  • Can you perform N648 evaluations?
    The N648 evaluation is a specific wavier that assess cognitive or psychological impairments that would prevent an individual from taking the naturalization/citizenship exam. These evaluations can only be performed by specific qualified providers. Per USCIS these providers are either an MD or DO (medical doctor) or a licensed clinical psychologist.
  • In what locations are the immigration evaluations offered?
    At the current time, Stepping Stones to Well Being, LLC is licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is hoped that additional locations will be offered in the future.
  • How are evaluations conducted?
    Evaluations may be through a HIPAA Compliant video service (i.e. Zoom, Doxy.Me, etc.) or in some cases in person, depending on location. This can be discussed at the time of referral and discussion with the client.
  • Do you have experience in working with the specialized population of immigrants and asylum seekers?  
    Yes. I have experience in working as a clinician with refugee and immigrant clients, including those who may have survived torture and are seeking asylum. Many of the clients have experienced some form of trauma. Through this work I also spent a considerable amount of time providing support about the process of resettlement, parenting, changes in family dynamics, acculturation challenges, and navigating the educational and medical systems that are a new experience. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
  • What training have you received to provide these evaluations?
    As part of my education, training and experience as a social worker I have written many reports, treatment summaries, and other letters. As mentioned previously, I worked for a number of years with clients who have come to the United States as refugees, asylees, and undocumented minors. In addition to these experiences and as part of my own training and education related to immigration evaluations, I have attended a live training with Georgia King.
  • Do you have experience in working with interpreters?
    Absolutely. Many of the clients that I have worked with as a clinician needed to use an interpreter for appointments. I have experience in both using face-to-face as well as telephonic interpreters. If a client does need/require an interpreter, a trained interpreter will be utilized. The use of an interpreter will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
  • What happens if my client requires an interpreter?
    This will be discussed on an individual basis. If an interpreter is needed for the evaluation, only trained interpreters are able to be used. Family members or friends are not able to serve in this role. This is important for information to be reported and captured through the evaluation process.
  • Can you see clients for individual therapy or medication services after the evaluation is completed?
    Unfortunately, no. It is understandable that some clients may develop a feeling of comfort and connection with an evaluator, particularly when intense and personal information is being shared. To be most helpful and effective, the evaluation must be objective. As a therapist, I must maintain the ethics of the counseling profession and also maintain my role as the evaluator. If therapy or medication services were a part of the process in seeing a client, even after an evaluation is completed, it could be considered a dual relationship which then may also bring into question the objectivity of the evaluation that was provided for the client and could jeopardize their immigration process. If a client does express a desire for therapy or medication services, it is feasible to discuss referrals that would be appropriate.
  • Is it possible to see a draft of the report before it is finalized?
    Absolutely. The report will be sent to you before it is finalized and if there are clarifications necessary, they will be discussed.
  • How quickly can you see a client for an evaluation?
    Typically the evaluations can take place within two (2) weeks of a referral.
  • How quickly is a report able to be generated?
    A report will be available within three (3) weeks of the last appointment with the client. If a report is needed in a more expedited fashion, this can be discussed at the time of the referral and an additional nominal fee will be required. This will also be discussed at the time of the referral.
bottom of page