Immigration Evaluations in MA & VT
Psychosocial Evaluations for Immigration in MA & VT
Michelle Collins, LICSW - Immigration Evaluation Specialist
Finding a Thorough and Thoughtful Evaluator
You know how challenging it can be to get your clients the humanitarian relief they are seeking. You are adept at navigating the legal system and you know that for many clients, a thorough psychosocial assessment can make a huge difference in the outcome of the case.
Your clients are often carrying profound emotional burdens and they are overwhelmed and intimidated by the legal process, which can make it even harder for you to maneuver through the details of their case.
This is why it can be crucial to have a clinician with a comprehensive understanding of the immigration process, experience working with trauma and who also has the skills and acumen to elicit the often-buried information from clients to help overcome hurdles that are otherwise preventing them from obtaining relief to which they are entitled.
I can help
As a licensed clinical social worker with expertise in immigration-related evaluations, I am here to help navigate those potential barriers. Through my thoughtful, compassionate and thorough evaluation process, I will work with your clients to assess the psychological impact of their experiences, provide a professional, clinical prognosis regarding their psychological recovery and connect that to the form of immigration relief they are seeking. My practice is dedicated to working with clients and attorneys to support the most just outcome for the client.
I will work with you collaboratively from start to finish to understand the specific legal underpinnings of your client’s case, provide a comprehensive report in a prompt manner and offer court testimony as needed. I have extensive experience working with interpreters and can refer clients to professional interpreters as needed. Expedited evaluations are also available.
Refer a client
I would love to help your client through the process of an evaluation. Click here to refer a client for an immigration evaluation in MA or VT.
Testimonials from Immigration Attorneys
“I truly appreciate you and what you've done on these cases!“
“You are the definition of over-delivering and exceeding expectations.”
“Thank you again for all the hard work you do to assist us in representing our clients, and the opportunity it gives them to tell their full story in a safe setting.”
“It is a very thorough compelling evaluation.”
“This report is amazing!”
“It's perfect”
“Thanks for such a professional work, Michelle!”
“This evaluation is wonderful and I think it will be extremely useful for the waiver process”
“I really appreciate your work”
“The evaluation is amazing”
“You did an amazing job addressing the points of an asylum case”
“Well done - it's perfect! Thank you so much for your help, especially given the short notice. I appreciate you/your work, Michelle!”
“The evaluation looks great, very detailed and well written. We really appreciate all of your work.”
“Your work is amazing and I am so grateful [client] had you in his corner.”
“[Client] was granted both asylum and humanitarian asylum at her hearing. Her case was not appealed, so she is now in the process of adjusting her status to that of a legal permanent resident! We're excited with the outcome and thank you for all your work in helping [Client] and helping to prepare her case. Your psychological evaluation was relied on by the Immigration Judge in her decision granting [Client]'s applications for relief.”
“Thank you so much for your help and assistance on that case, you wrote an excellent report.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Evaluations in MA & VT
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I work with adolescents and adults. The exact cutoff to define adolescent is based on the individual case and focus of the assessment, but is usually around age 14.
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I can usually see clients within a few weeks. Typically, reports are available within four weeks or less of completing the client interviews.
If a report needs to be completed urgently, a rush fee can be applied to ensure either rapid booking and/or rapid report turnaround, as quickly as within 48 hours, depending on availability.
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Referrals can be completed online using this link
The law office or the client can also contact me directly at mcollins@mlbcollins.com or call/text 781-226-1606.
If clients are contacting me directly, please ensure that they are able to communicate in English or are aware they need to have someone assist with translation. I will do my best to use Google Translate over email or text if no one is available to assist until the evaluation.
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Yes, I have experience providing expert testimony in court and can arrange to be available to testify for an added fee.
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All evaluations are conducted in English. I have extensive experience working with interpreters and can provide recommendations to hire an interpreter if another language is needed.
Please note that a professional interpreter is needed, rather than a family member or friend. The client will be responsible for the cost of the interpreter and arrange payment with the interpreter independently.
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Interviews are generally held online using Zoom.
If clients prefer to meet in person, in-person meetings can be held for an added fee to offset the cost of office rental space in Wakefield, MA.
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A flat fee includes all client communications, attorney communications, client meetings, scoring of standardized assessments and the detailed, written report.
Payment plans are available (50% at first session, 25% at second session, 25% when report ready).
Payment can be made securely online.
Interpreters will be hired and paid for by the client separately.
An additional fee may be required for in-person sessions.
An additional fee applies for court testimony.
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I do regular pro bono work through Physicians for Human Rights and the Massachusetts General Hospital Asylum Clinic. Please contact one of these organizations directly if you are in need of a pro bono evaluation.
