VAWA Self-Petition Psychological Evaluations.
Forensic documentation of battery or extreme cruelty for I-360 self-petitions filed by spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Statutory Basis
INA §204(a)(1)(A)(iii)–(iv) & §204(a)(1)(B)(ii)–(iii). 8 C.F.R. §204.2(c) (spousal); §204.2(e) (child); §204.2(f) (parent).
Element the Evaluation Addresses
"Battered or has been the subject of extreme cruelty" by the qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR family member.
What the report establishes
A VAWA psychological evaluation places the petitioner's experience inside the regulatory definition of "any act or threatened act of violence" or "extreme cruelty" found at 8 C.F.R. §204.2(c)(1)(vi). The evaluation gives the adjudicator the clinical context to read declarations and corroborating records consistently with the petitioner's stated experience.
- A detailed psychosocial history covering pre-relationship functioning, the course of the qualifying relationship, and the patterns of abusive conduct.
- Current diagnostic presentation (DSM-5-TR) — most commonly PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, or complex trauma sequelae.
- Functional impairment across occupational, parental, social, and somatic domains, with a description of how impairment maps to the abusive conduct.
- Validated symptom measures where indicated (PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7), with interpretation appropriate to the petitioner's cultural and language background.
- A clinical opinion linking the petitioner's findings to the regulatory standard of "battery or extreme cruelty."
Who qualifies for a VAWA evaluation
This evaluation is appropriate for any petitioner pursuing one of the VAWA self-petition pathways:
- Spousal self-petitioners — current or former spouses (within two years of divorce/death) of a U.S. citizen or LPR.
- Child self-petitioners — children abused by a U.S. citizen or LPR parent.
- Parent self-petitioners — parents of an abusive adult U.S. citizen son or daughter (21+).
The clinical interview structure used in VAWA evaluations is built around the recognition that disclosing intimate-partner abuse is itself a trauma trigger. Pacing, breaks, and grounding are designed in. The aim is a complete record obtained without re-traumatizing the petitioner.
Typical structure of the report
- Referral question and identifying information
- Sources of information and methods (interviews, records reviewed, instruments administered)
- Behavioral observations and mental status during the assessment
- Relevant background — family, education, occupation, medical, psychiatric, immigration
- Course of the qualifying relationship and the patterns of abusive conduct
- Current clinical presentation and DSM-5-TR diagnostic impression
- Discussion linking findings to the regulatory standard
- Clinical opinion, prognosis, and treatment recommendations
- Curriculum vitae appended
The report's structure is designed so the adjudicator can locate every regulatory element on a single page of headers — and so the corroborating records, declaration, and clinical opinion read as one coherent factual record.
Engagement details
- Format: Secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth nationwide. In-person available NY metro and on request.
- Languages: English and Spanish without interpretation. Other languages with court-credentialed interpreter, billed at cost.
- Standard fee: $2,800 flat. Pro bono and reduced-fee slots available each quarter on inquiry.
- Turnaround: 2–3 weeks from final interview. 7–10 day expedite available.
- Deliverables: Signed PDF report, CV, and (on request) cover letter to counsel summarizing key findings.
Ready to discuss a VAWA case?
Send the working draft of the I-360 narrative and any preliminary records. Fee quote and timeline returned within one business day.
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