Assessing the Psychological Impact of Trauma in VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa Cases

This comprehensive course is designed for mental health professionals who are new to conducting immigration evaluations and want to learn how to assess and document the psychological impact of trauma in support of VAWA, U Visa, and T Visa applications. These types of immigration relief are available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, violent crimes, and human trafficking—but in order to qualify, they must provide compelling evidence of the emotional and psychological consequences of the abuse they’ve endured. As clinicians, our evaluations can play a powerful role in helping survivors obtain safety, stability, and legal status. In this course, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance on how to conduct evaluations for these specific case types. You’ll learn the legal background for each type of case, how to approach the clinical interview in a trauma-informed way, and how to write a report that clearly supports the client’s petition while maintaining clinical integrity.

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Cancellation of Removal (Evaluating Children)

In this course, you will learn how to conduct a thorough psychological assessment with children of different age groups (4-17). Understanding the different assessment approaches and methodologies for evaluating minors and how to describe your findings in a written report will prepare you to offer this invaluable service to the community. This introductory-level course is intended for any mental health professional at any point in their professional career!

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Certification for Disability Exceptions (N-648)

In this course, you will learn how to assess an applicant’s cognitive functioning and ability to retain new information, which tests and psychological measures to employ, and how to properly and thoroughly complete the required N-648 form: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. *Please note that only licensed psychologists or psychiatrists are authorized to certify the N-648 form.*

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Conducting Psychological Evaluations for Asylum Cases

In this course, you’ll learn everything you need to conduct thorough, trauma-informed psychological evaluations for asylum seekers. We’ll cover how to assess the impact of torture or persecution, write clear and effective reports, and navigate cultural considerations with sensitivity. The course also addresses how to avoid ethical pitfalls and maintain professional integrity while working with vulnerable populations. This course is designed for any mental health professional at any point in their career who wants to provide high-quality, culturally responsive immigration evaluations.

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Evaluating Hardship for Waivers of Inadmissibility and Cancelation of Removal

This course provides clinicians with the tools and frameworks needed to conduct psychological evaluations in support of cancelation of removal and hardship waivers for immigration cases. Participants will learn how to assess and document the psychological and emotional impact of family separation or relocation on U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident qualifying relatives. Through structured guidance and clinical examples, students will explore how to gather relevant background information, assess hardship factors, and communicate findings clearly and persuasively in written reports. Special emphasis is placed on the referral question, legal definitions of hardship, and the importance of cultural and contextual sensitivity.

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Marketing Your Services as an Immigration Evaluator

This course is designed to help mental health professionals confidently and effectively market themselves as immigration evaluators. You'll learn how to connect with attorneys, build a steady stream of referrals, and communicate your value without feeling salesy or overwhelmed. We cover everything from crafting a strong online presence to knowing what to say in those first conversations with legal professionals. Whether you're just getting started or looking to grow your evaluation practice, this course will give you practical tools and strategies to position yourself as a trusted and in-demand expert in this field.

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.

Mastering the Art of Report-Writing

This advanced course is designed for mental health professionals who already conduct immigration evaluations and are ready to take their report-writing skills to the next level. Led by Dr. Mariela Shibley, this training focuses on crafting clear, powerful, and professionally polished reports that support clients’ cases and assist adjudicators in making informed decisions. Learn advanced techniques for structuring reports for maximum impact, writing with precision and neutrality, and anticipating adjudicator concerns to minimize RFEs and NOIDs. The course also provides strategies for making the report-writing process more efficient. This training is ideal for clinicians committed to producing high-quality evaluations with greater confidence and effectiveness.

Course•By Mariela G. Shibley, Psy.D.