Unity Mental Health and Evaluation Services
Providing Compassionate Immigration Evaluations with Expertise and Understanding
Providing Compassionate Immigration Evaluations with Expertise and Understanding
At Unity Mental Health and Evaluation Services, we specialize in conducting immigration evaluations in both English and Arabic for individuals navigating the U.S. immigration process. Our goal is to offer support and thorough assessments to help strengthen your immigration case, whether you are facing hardships, seeking asylum, or applying for specific immigration protections. We provide these services either in-person at our New York City office or via secure telehealth consultations throughout the state of New York.
Immigration evaluations are mental health assessments completed by licensed professionals to help with immigration cases. Often recommended or required by attorneys, these evaluations provide important information about a person's mental health and how their experiences have affected them, which can impact the decision in their immigration process.Â
Research shows that having an immigration evaluation can greatly increase the chances of a positive outcome. One study comparing asylum seekers who received medical evaluations between 2000 and 2004 revealed that 89% of these applicants were granted asylum, compared to only 37.5% of those who did not receive a medical evaluation (Lustig et al., 2008). This research shows how important these evaluations can be in immigration cases, especially when someone has experienced mistreatment or hardship.
During the evaluation, applicants may be assessed for a range of psychological disorders such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, and other emotional or behavioral difficulties. These assessments help show how trauma or difficult experiences have affected the person’s mental and emotional health, which can be a key factor in legal decisions regarding asylum, hardship waivers, and other immigration statuses.
Hardship Immigration Evaluations (I-601)
These evaluations are designed to document extreme hardship as part of the immigration process. We work closely with individuals and their families to assess the physical, emotional, financial, and psychological hardships they may face if they are separated from loved ones or forced to return to their home country.
U-Visa Immigration Evaluations
The U-Visa is available for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of physical and mental abuse. Our evaluations document the lasting psychological effects of these experiences, supporting your case by demonstrating the severe impact of the trauma. U-Visa applicants must also be willing to assist law enforcement in prosecuting criminal activities.
VAWA Immigration Evaluations
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows abused partners to petition for immigration status independently of their abusive family members. We conduct evaluations that explore the psychological trauma caused by domestic violence, helping to build a strong case for victims seeking protection and independence.
Political Asylum Evaluations
People seeking asylum in the U.S. often face persecution or the threat of harm in their home countries. Our evaluations document any psychological trauma related to these fears, helping to strengthen your case by illustrating the emotional and mental impact of your experiences.
T-Visa Immigration Evaluations
The T-Visa is granted to survivors of severe human trafficking. We provide detailed evaluations of the trauma endured by victims and work to support their applications for legal status in the U.S. for up to four years.
Cancellation of Removal Immigration Evaluations
If you or a family member is facing deportation, we offer cancellation of removal evaluations to petition the court for an adjustment of status. Our evaluations provide detailed assessments of how deportation may cause extreme hardship for you and your family, helping build a case for permanent residency.
At Unity Mental Health and Evaluation Services, we work collaboratively with immigration attorneys to ensure that each evaluation addresses the specific needs of your case. Whether you are applying for asylum, seeking a hardship waiver, or applying for a special visa, we partner closely with your legal team to provide a detailed psychological report that supports your application. By understanding the unique aspects of immigration law, we create evaluations that offer clear, compelling narratives to help you and your attorney navigate the complexities of the legal system.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Founder
Growing up in a diverse immigrant and refugee community, Dr. Almusawi has witnessed firsthand the struggles many individuals face when starting over in a new country. Having watched her own family’s journey as refugees, she understands the courage it takes to escape danger, leave everything behind, and build a new life in an unfamiliar place. Her personal experiences as the daughter of refugees inspire her to help others navigating similar challenges today.
Dr. Almusawi brings over seven years of clinical experience in psychology, focusing on trauma treatment, assessment, and consultation. She completed her training in Detroit, Michigan, followed by two years of internship and postdoctoral work at the Yale Child Study Center, Department of Child Psychiatry for the Yale School of Medicine, where she specialized in trauma. Her background includes work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams of psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and other professionals.
She received the prestigious Viola Bernard Social Justice and Health Equity Fellowship, recognizing her commitment to addressing mental health disparities through social justice initiatives and promoting health equity for underrepresented populations. Dr. Almusawi has also engaged in initiatives that prioritize cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care, particularly for underserved communities and immigrants. Her goal is to provide empirically based and culturally informed interventions, ensuring that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds receive the respectful and effective care they deserve.
At Unity Mental Health and Evaluation Services, Dr. Almusawi aims to provide compassionate, thorough, and culturally sensitive evaluations to individuals facing life-changing decisions in their immigration process. Her evaluations reflect a deep understanding of trauma and its impacts, ensuring that each applicant’s story is carefully heard and documented.
A psychological evaluation can be essential to your immigration case, as it provides crucial documentation of any mental health issues or hardships relevant to your legal status. These evaluations are often requested by immigration attorneys to support their clients' cases by highlighting psychological factors that may influence the court’s decision.
Psychological evaluations are highly specialized and tailored to meet the requirements of immigration proceedings. For this reason, it’s important to work with a licensed psychologist experienced in immigration evaluations. If your attorney has suggested that you obtain a psychological report, it may be because you or a family member’s mental health condition could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of your case.
Method
Dr. Almusawi utilizes evidence-based approaches to assess the applicant’s mental health and the challenges they have faced. She conducts interviews at a pace that aligns with the applicant’s comfort level, ensuring a thorough and supportive experience. Dr. Almusawi works collaboratively with the applicant to gather detailed information for their case. The interview can be conducted in person at her New York City office or virtually through a secure Telehealth platform. Fluent in both Arabic and English, Dr. Almusawi also partners with the applicant's attorney to clearly present the immigration difficulties in a comprehensive report used during the legal process.
Timeline
Immigration evaluations tend to take 3-4 weeks from the time of the interview. Dr. Almusawi works to complete the interviews in a timely fashion while also making sure they are done professionally with all needed information. For an extra fee, evaluations can be expedited depending on availability.
Evaluation
Opening up to someone you’ve never met, especially during such a critical time in your life, can feel intimidating. That’s why we believe it’s important for you to know ahead of time what will be covered during your evaluation. This transparency helps ease any uncertainties and shows that your psychologist is there to support you, aiming to understand you as an individual. During your evaluation, Dr. Almusawi will assess how the immigration process has affected your well-being. Key documents and your personal story will also be reviewed.
It's essential to choose a professional with experience in immigration evaluations, as applications are often denied due to missing or insufficient mental health assessments. Dr. Almusawi brings years of experience in understanding the profound effects of trauma, loss, abuse, and other emotional struggles, clearly outlining their short- and long-term impacts in her reports.
We understand that discussing personal experiences, especially those involving trauma, can feel intimidating. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable, supported, and heard throughout the process.
During your evaluation, we will:
Review essential documents, such as medical and therapeutic records
Conduct a one-on-one interview to discuss your personal and family history
Perform psychological tests, assessing for any signs of psychological or emotional distress
Document symptoms related to any diagnosed mental health disorders using the DSM-5, when applicable
Capture the hardships endured and the psychological impact on you and your loved ones by combining insights from clinical interviews and psychological tests to produce an effective report
Selecting a licensed, experienced professional is essential, as immigration applications are often denied due to incomplete or insufficient mental health assessments. We will work to ensure that your case is represented thoroughly and accurately.
Dr. Almusawi brings extensive clinical experience in trauma treatment and assessment, providing a comprehensive understanding of the short- and long-term effects of trauma, loss, and abuse. Her evaluations are thorough and compassionate, offering detailed insights into individuals' emotional and psychological experiences.
As the daughter of refugees, Dr. Almusawi understands the unique challenges immigrants face. She provides evaluations in both English and Arabic, ensuring clear communication and culturally informed care tailored to her clients' backgrounds.
Dr. Almusawi offers flexible evaluation options, accommodating preferences for in-person meetings or remote consultations from the comfort of home. Her secure telehealth platform allows for the delivery of services across New York State while maintaining confidentiality.
Dr. Almusawi's reports are crafted to meet the specific needs of immigration attorneys and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). She takes the time to thoroughly document each client's mental health history, personal hardships, and the impact of their experiences, ensuring that her evaluations provide the critical information necessary for their cases.
Immigration evaluations can be a deciding factor in the success of your case. These assessments provide a detailed psychological narrative that attorneys can use to strengthen their argument in court. Evaluations can help demonstrate the severity of hardships faced, such as mental health conditions stemming from trauma or persecution, or the potential harm that may occur if you are separated from family or returned to your country of origin.
A well-crafted evaluation report can be the evidence needed to secure a positive outcome for you and your family, allowing you to escape dangerous circumstances or avoid being deported. Attorneys rely on psychotherapists like Dr. Saja Almusawi to deliver a comprehensive history of the client’s mental health, which can be pivotal in proving extreme hardship or psychological distress.
The cost of an immigration evaluation varies depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Fees typically range between $2,000 and $3,500. For a more accurate quote, please contact Dr. Almusawi at Evaluations@UnityMentalHealth.com.
Offering in-person evaluations at our New York City office or virtual evaluations via a confidential telehealth platform for residents across New York State.Â
To schedule an immigration evaluation, please reach out to Dr. Saja Almusawi by emailing Evaluations@UnityMentalHealth.com or calling 646.596.1338
Email: Evaluations@UnityMentalHealth.org
Phone: 646.596.1338
Address: 14 Penn Plaza, 225 West 34th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10122