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Forensic psychologists · For applicants and attorneys · Jupiter, FL and virtual

Immigration Evaluation In Palm Beach County

A psychological evaluation for your immigration case, written by forensic psychologists Florida courts have trusted since 2008. Hardship waivers, asylum, VAWA, U and T visa, SIJS and cancellation of removal. Your attorney’s deadline is built into the schedule from the first call.

Call (561) 834-5849 Book a free 15-minute call
  • ★★★★★ Google reviews
  • Licensed in Florida
  • Report goes to you and your attorney
  • Trusted by Florida courts since 2008

Quick answer: An immigration psychological evaluation at FC PsychExperts is a forensic assessment by a licensed psychologist, usually 2 to 3 sessions plus testing, written as a report your immigration attorney submits with your case. Case types include extreme hardship (I-601 / I-601A), asylum, VAWA, U visa, T visa, SIJS, cancellation of removal and competency. In person at 210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd in Jupiter or by secure video anywhere in Florida. The practice has evaluated for Florida courts since 2008. Call (561) 834-5849.

Dr. Cathy Colet, Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and founder of FC PsychExperts in Jupiter, Palm Beach County
Dr. Cathy ColetFounder · Forensic Psychologist · Member, Physicians for Human Rights
Case types we evaluate

Find your case. The evaluation is built around it.

Immigration evaluations are not one report with the name changed. Each case type asks a different legal question, and the evaluation has to answer that question. Here is what each one is for.

I-601 / I-601A

Extreme hardship waiverApplicant’s U.S. citizen or resident spouse, parent or child

Documents the psychological, medical, financial and family hardship the qualifying relative would face if the applicant were removed or kept abroad. The relative is the person evaluated.

I-589

AsylumApplicant, often with a trauma history

Assesses psychological symptoms consistent with the persecution described, and explains how trauma can affect memory and testimony. Dr. Colet is a member of Physicians for Human Rights.

I-360

VAWA self-petitionSpouse, child or parent of an abusive U.S. citizen or resident

Documents the abuse history and its psychological effects in support of a self-petition filed without the abuser’s knowledge or participation.

I-918 / I-914

U visa and T visaVictims of qualifying crimes or trafficking

Assesses substantial physical or mental abuse from the crime, and for T visa cases the effects of trafficking, in the language the statute uses.

SIJS

Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusMinors who cannot reunify with a parent

Child-appropriate evaluation of abuse, neglect or abandonment and the child’s best interests, prepared for the state court finding and the USCIS petition.

EOIR-42

Cancellation of removalApplicant in removal proceedings with qualifying relatives

Documents exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to the qualifying U.S. citizen or resident relatives, the standard the immigration judge applies.

Competency

Competency to proceedRespondents in immigration court

Assesses whether a respondent can understand the proceedings and assist in their own case, including self-representation, for the immigration judge.

Risk

Dangerousness and recidivismBond hearings, moral turpitude and discretionary relief

Structured risk assessment used when the court weighs whether an individual poses a danger, including suspension of deportation for crimes of moral turpitude.

2008Forensic evaluations for Florida courts since
8Immigration case types evaluated
2-3Sessions for most evaluations, plus testing
2Offices: Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale, plus video
What applicants worry about

3 fears that stop people from getting evaluated, and the facts

Almost everyone who calls our Jupiter office about an immigration evaluation has one of these on their mind. They deserve straight answers.

The fear

“They will report me.”

The fact

FC PsychExperts is a private psychology practice, not a government agency. The report is prepared for you and your attorney, and you decide together whether to submit it. Nothing is sent to USCIS or the court without your attorney’s direction.

The fear

“If I cry or forget dates, it will hurt my case.”

The fact

Trauma affects memory. A forensic psychologist knows this and explains it in the report, which is often the reason attorneys request the evaluation. You do not have to perform. You have to be honest.

The fear

“My English is not good enough.”

The fact

Tell the office your preferred language when you call. Evaluations can be conducted with interpreter support so the report reflects what you actually said. The clinician’s job is to understand you, not to test your English.

How it works

From first call to signed report

The pace is set by your attorney’s filing deadline. This is a typical sequence; yours is confirmed on the first call.

Day 1The call

Scope, deadline, fee

You or your attorney tell us the case type and the filing date. The office confirms the evaluation type, quotes the fee and books the first session.

You, or your attorney

Wk 1Session 1

Clinical interview

Your history, the events relevant to the case, and how you are functioning now. In person in Jupiter or by secure video. Interpreter support if you want it.

You and the psychologist

Wk 1-2Sessions 2-3

Testing and collateral

Standardized psychological measures, plus interviews with family members where the case calls for it (hardship cases usually do), and review of records your attorney sends.

You, family, records

Wk 2-3Report

Written report to your attorney

A signed forensic report addressing the legal standard for your case type. Your attorney reviews it with you and decides how to use it. Testimony is available if the case requires it.

Psychologist to attorney

Timelines vary with case complexity, testing needs and record availability. If your deadline is short, say so on the call.

What your attorney receives

A report written to the legal standard, not a therapy note

Immigration judges and USCIS officers read hundreds of these. The ones that help are the ones that answer the legal question directly, show their methods, and stay inside what the psychologist can actually support. That is how forensic reports are written at FC PsychExperts, because the same clinicians write for Florida criminal and family courts.

  • Addresses the standard for your case type, extreme hardship, substantial abuse, persecution, best interests, or competency, in the language the adjudicator uses.
  • Shows the method. Interviews, standardized measures, collateral sources and records reviewed are listed, so the report can be relied on.
  • Stays credible. Findings are tied to evidence. No advocacy language, no conclusions the data does not support. That restraint is what makes the report useful.
  • Signed by a licensed psychologist available for testimony if the case requires it.
Request an evaluation
Report outline · illustration
  1. Referral questionThe legal issue the report addresses and who referred
    Attorney
  2. Sources of informationInterviews, testing, collateral contacts, records
    Method
  3. Relevant historyBackground, family, medical, events at issue
    Interview
  4. Clinical findingsCurrent functioning, symptoms, test results
    Testing
  5. Analysis against the standardHow the findings relate to the legal question
    Opinion
  6. Conclusions and signatureLicensed psychologist, credentials, date
    Signed

Structure varies by case type. Illustration only.

For immigration attorneys

Refer a client in 1 email

Send what you have. The office confirms scope, fee and timeline with you before the client is scheduled, so there are no surprises on either side.

What to send

  • Case type and the specific relief sought (for example I-601A, VAWA, U visa)
  • Filing or hearing deadline
  • Who is to be evaluated: the applicant, the qualifying relative, or both
  • Client’s preferred language and location (in person in Jupiter, or video)
  • Any prior evaluations, medical or mental health records, or declarations
  • Whether testimony may be needed

Where to send it

drcolet@fcpsychexperts.com
or call (561) 834-5849

Curriculum vitae, fee schedule and a sample report structure are available on request. FC PsychExperts evaluates for the 1st, 15th, 17th, 19th and 20th judicial circuits and holds memberships in the APA, AFCC, ATSA, APSAC and Physicians for Human Rights.

Offices in Jupiter (Palm Beach County) and Fort Lauderdale (Broward County). Secure video statewide.

Who evaluates

Forensic psychologists, not general counselors

Dr. Cathy Colet, Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

Dr. Cathy Colet

Licensed Clinical & Forensic Psychologist · Founder

Dr. Colet founded the practice in 2008 and specializes in clinical and forensic evaluations across criminal, civil and family law, with extensive experience assessing trauma, mood, thought and personality disorders and intellectual functioning. She is frequently called on by government and private entities for evaluations and expert testimony, and is a member of Physicians for Human Rights.

Works with: asylum · hardship · VAWA · U and T visa · competency · risk · testimony

Dr. Lauren Miller, Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist

Dr. Lauren Miller

Clinical & Forensic Neuropsychologist · nearly 20 years

Dr. Miller has nearly 20 years of experience as a clinician, consultant, lecturer and writer. Her neuropsychological expertise supports evaluations where cognitive functioning, brain injury or competency is part of the immigration question.

Works with: neuropsychological evaluation · competency · cognitive findings in hardship cases

In their words

What clients and attorneys say

“The forensic evaluation provided by this team was incredibly thorough and meticulously detailed. Their expertise and careful approach made a significant impact on our legal case, providing us with the clarity and support we needed.”

Jennifer E.Client

“I have worked with Dr. Colet for several years. I have found her to always be highly professional and an excellent forensic psychologist. I do not hesitate to refer clients to her.”

Maria CammarataAttorney at Law

“The staff took the time to explain each step, and the detailed report offered valuable insights. The entire experience was both professional and supportive.”

Christopher S.Client
FC PsychExperts office in Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Florida
Where we are

Immigration evaluations across Palm Beach County and South Florida

The Jupiter office at 210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd, Unit 4-201, is just off Indiantown Road, minutes from I-95 and the Turnpike. Most applicants from the central and southern parts of the county, and from Broward and Miami-Dade, complete the interview sessions by secure video and come in only if testing requires it.

  • Palm Beach County: Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Belle Glade.
  • Broward: Fort Lauderdale office, 1451 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 300.
  • Statewide by video: Miami-Dade, the Treasure Coast, Orlando, Tampa and anywhere in Florida.
  • Immigration courts: reports and testimony for cases before the Miami and Orlando immigration courts and USCIS field offices.
Questions applicants and attorneys ask

Immigration evaluation FAQ

What is an immigration psychological evaluation?

An immigration psychological evaluation is a forensic assessment by a licensed psychologist that documents a person’s psychological history, current functioning and, where relevant, the effects of trauma or the hardship a family member would face. It is written as a report for the immigration attorney to submit with the case. It is an evaluation, not therapy.

Which immigration cases does FC PsychExperts evaluate?

Asylum, extreme hardship waivers (I-601 and I-601A), VAWA self-petitions, U visa and T visa cases, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, cancellation of removal, competency to participate in immigration proceedings, and assessments of dangerousness or risk. If your case type is not listed, ask; the practice has done forensic evaluation for Florida courts since 2008.

Will the evaluation be used against me?

The report is prepared for you and your attorney. You and your attorney decide whether to submit it. Your clinician explains what the evaluation covers, how it is written and who receives it before the first session begins, so there are no surprises.

How many sessions does an immigration evaluation take?

Most evaluations take 2 to 3 sessions with the person being evaluated, plus standardized testing and, where relevant, interviews with family members. Your attorney’s filing deadline is built into the schedule at the first call.

Can the evaluation be done by video?

Yes, for most case types. Sessions can be held in person at the Jupiter office or by secure video anywhere in Florida. Some testing is done more accurately in person; your clinician tells you at intake if any part needs to be.

What if I do not speak English well?

Tell the office your preferred language when you call. Evaluations can be conducted with interpreter support so that the report reflects what you actually said, not what was lost in translation.

Can my attorney refer me directly?

Yes. Immigration attorneys refer clients by calling (561) 834-5849 or emailing drcolet@fcpsychexperts.com with the case type, the filing deadline and any records. The office confirms scope, fee and timeline with the attorney before scheduling.

Does the psychologist testify in immigration court?

FC PsychExperts provides expert testimony where the case requires it. Availability for hearings is confirmed with the attorney when the evaluation is scheduled.

How much does an immigration evaluation cost?

Evaluation fees depend on case type and scope and are quoted on the first call. Immigration evaluations are private pay and are not covered by health insurance.

How fast can I be seen in Palm Beach County?

First appointments are usually available within the same week. Call (561) 834-5849 Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM or Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM, or send the form on this page with your deadline and the office calls back within 1 business day.

Take the first step

Request an evaluation

Applicants and attorneys use the same form. Tell us the case type and the deadline. The office confirms the evaluation type, quotes the fee and books the first session. Nothing is decided until you say so.

Call us: (561) 834-5849

Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-4:30 PM · Sat 9 AM-4 PM

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