VAWA Clinical Evaluations
At AFS Counseling Services, we provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed clinical evaluations for VAWA cases in Illinois. If you have experienced abuse or domestic violence from a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, a VAWA clinical evaluation can document the emotional and psychological impact.
- Chicago, Illinois • Online Across the State
What Is a VAWA Clinical Evaluation?
A VAWA clinical evaluation is a clinical assessment prepared for an immigration case involving the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The purpose is to provide objective clinical documentation of the psychological impact of your experiences. It does not determine whether you qualify for VAWA or guarantee an immigration outcome.
Abuse History & Relationship Dynamics
Documenting your history and relationship with the abuser, specific experiences of abuse or cruelty, and their emotional and psychological effects.
Symptoms & Daily Functioning
Assessing clinical symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress and documenting how these experiences have affected your personal relationships and daily life.
Cultural & Personal Context
Understanding your unique background by integrating relevant cultural, family, and personal factors into the VAWA evaluation.
Who Can Get VAWA Evaluation?
We offer VAWA immigration evaluation for survivors (men and women) of battery or extreme cruelty by a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or adult child. After clinical evaluation for VAWA case, we objectively document the mental and emotional effects of the abuse.
Physical & Sexual Abuse
Documenting trauma and distress resulting from domestic battery, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or reproductive coercion.
Psychological & Emotional Cruelty
Evaluating the impact of severe emotional, psychological, or verbal abuse, alongside coercive control, isolation, and threats of deportation.
Financial Exploitation & Control
Assessing the mental and emotional toll of financial exploitation, economic control, and severe operational dependency.
What to Expect During Your VAWA Clinical Evaluation
Your VAWA clinical evaluation with AFS Counseling Services is conducted in a private, respectful setting through secure online sessions. The process generally includes
Clinical interview
Opportunity to discuss your history, relationship, experiences, and current concerns in a 2-3 hours interview.
Clinical assessment
Our licensed clinical therapist will assess the emotional and mental effects of the experiences you describe.
Document review
Relevant supporting information may be reviewed as part of the evaluation.
Written evaluation
A formal 10-20 page clinical report documents the findings and their connection to the experiences discussed in the evaluation.
How VAWA Clinical Evaluation Helps Your Immigration Case
A clinical evaluation for VAWA immigration case provides independent documentation that helps explain aspects of your experience that legal documents alone may not capture. For example, trauma from domestic battery or extreme cruelty can help explain why a survivor delayed leaving the abusive partner or family member, hesitated to report the abuse, struggles to recall specific details or present a linear timeline, and experiences PTSD, severe anxiety, or depression.
Book Your VAWA EvaluationVAWA Clinical Evaluation Fees
Standard evaluation: $1,500
Expedited evaluation: $1,850, including a $350 rush fee Standard turnaround: 2–3 weeks
Expedited turnaround: Under one week
Why Choose AFS Counseling Services for VAWA Evaluation?
01
Experience With Immigration Evaluations
Our therapist Alice Solis, LCPC has experience conducting clinical immigration evaluations for cases like VAWA, asylum, extreme hardship, U visa, and T visa.
02
Culturally Responsive Evaluations
As an immigrant herself, Alice understands how culture, family expectations, language, identity, and immigration experiences shape how people view and discuss mental health.
03
Clear Clinical Documentation
Your evaluation includes a clinical interview, relevant background details, and professional assessment. The final report clearly documents the findings for your immigration case.
Have Any Questions?
What is a VAWA clinical evaluation?
A VAWA clinical evaluation is a clinical assessment that documents the emotional and psychological impact of abuse or extreme cruelty experienced in a qualifying relationship. The findings can provide clinical documentation for a VAWA immigration case.
Do I need a VAWA evaluation for my immigration case?
Not every VAWA case requires a clinical evaluation. Your immigration attorney can help determine whether an evaluation would be useful for your specific case.
What does a VAWA evaluation assess?
The evaluation may assess symptoms and psychological effects associated with experiences of abuse or extreme cruelty, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, stress, and changes in daily functioning or relationships.
Will the evaluation guarantee my VAWA case be approved?
A clinical evaluation does not guarantee approval or determine your eligibility for VAWA. It provides clinical documentation of clinical findings that may support your immigration case.
Is the VAWA evaluation available online?
Yes. AFS Counseling Services provides immigration evaluations through secure online sessions for clients in Illinois.
Can my immigration attorney communicate with AFS Counseling Services?
Yes. With appropriate authorization, Alice can communicate and coordinate with your immigration attorney regarding the evaluation and documentation process.
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Need a VAWA Immigration Evaluation?
Accurate VAWA evaluations to understand your emotional and mental trauma caused by abuse or cruelty and communicate to the legal system for your immigration case.