I am a bilingual Forensic Mental Health Evaluator, specializing in clinical or psychological evaluations for immigration cases and I can help you.
Professional psychological assessments
I specialize in conducting psychological evaluations for immigration court in the United States. The clinical evaluations performed on behalf of the immigrant reflect the complexity of their situation, which includes social problems, acculturation, and mental health. The professional mental health evaluations are objective and help explain the difficulties and unique circumstances of the case of the person in immigration proceedings. I am a member of the Physicians for Human Rights, Asylum Network; and Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program.
Experience
Before performing psychological evaluations for immigration court, I conducted different types of forensic assessments. I performed psychological assessments for sexually and physically abused children; risk assessments, and DUI evaluations for adults. Because of my expertise in mental health, I became the Clinical Supervisor for an emergency psychiatric center in Phoenix, Arizona. While employed as a Psychology Associate for the state, I developed a successful mental health system to prevent suicides, and was in charge of the classification process for adjudicated juveniles. Later, I performed emergency psycho-diagnostic evaluations for people affected by mental health problems, and I started the civil commitment process, serving six hospitals in Maricopa County. Part of my responsibilities as a forensic evaluator, was testifying in mental health court regularly. I also contracted with the Arizona Supreme Court for over 20 years, supervising master level clinicians. Given the needs of the community, I became the supervisor for an unaccompanied minor shelter in Arizona. Since I was dedicated to helping youths and families in the city and border towns, I became an evaluator for the immigrant community and an Expert Witness in Immigration Court.
Education
As a graduate MSW with a specialization in forensics from Boston College, I am exceptionally qualified to apply the principles of mental health to the legal system. I have a background in psychology with extensive training in the neuroscience involved in trauma by nationally-recognized professors in the U.S. I was trained to conduct forensic assessments with adults and children with mental health problems and to conduct psychological evaluations for victims of sexual abuse and violence. I completed a one year program, sponsored by the federal government, in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Substance Abuse Diagnosis and Treatment, and Co-morbid Disorders. In Boston, Massachusetts, I continue to receive training in advanced clinical practice and psychological affidavits for immigration court.
My diverse work and educational experiences, as well as my work ethic, make me uniquely qualified to help you navigate the U.S. immigration maze.
Expertise
Working in Arizona’s border towns, I helped immigrants with complex psycho-social needs. There, I saw firsthand the stress, anxiety, and desperation in the eyes of many immigrant families whose futures depended on my expertise. As an experienced Spanish speaking clinician, I have been conducting professional and expert evaluations for immigrants and their families for many years.
As a Director of Clinical Services Institute, I trained mental health professionals for more than 20 years. Forensic evaluations require special training. As a forensic mental health expert, being familiar with the terms used in immigration court system is imperative. Psychological evaluations are used for immigration proceedings and require expertise.
If you need a psychological evaluation for your immigration case,
Call Martha Palacio, LICSW
602-332-6367
Email me:
[email protected]
CLINICAL SERVICES INSTITUTE, LLC