Meet Patsy Dolan Bouressa
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specializing in Immigration Evaluations
Immigrants in the United States often experience a range of emotional struggles as they navigate the complex immigration process. Those working with immigration attorneys are often encouraged to complete an immigration evaluation, a step that is considered critical and one that may strengthen the immigrant’s case. This journey can lead to anxiety, fear and frustration and can often make the individual seeking a better life in the US feel extremely vulnerable, as they put their trust in an attorney and a mental health professional.
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As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost 20 years of experience, Patsy has developed expertise in working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, addressing a wide range of mental health issues as well as interpersonal struggles. Her extensive experience has helped her hone therapeutic skills that she utilizes to create a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals seeking citizenship in the United States. Patsy draws on her understanding of trauma, cultural sensitivity and emotional wellbeing to help each individual feel heard and understood.
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Patsy realizes that individuals seeking a better life in the U.S. may be feeling vulnerable and uncertain and, as a result, she uses her therapeutic skills to build trust early in the process. By employing her compassionate and empathetic approach, she seeks to guide all those she works with through the necessary evaluation process in a way that creates safety and promotes emotional wellbeing. While there is no guarantee of a particular outcome, the work that Patsy does with her clients is intended to help improve their chances of a successful outcome.
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Patsy has another area of expertise. For eight years she has worked with individuals in the music industry and their loved ones to help them with the emotional demands of that career. Visit her other site for details.
Services
​Currently, virtual sessions only.
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Licensed in Texas (actively working on getting licensed in other states).
Hardship Evaluation
Evaluations for Extreme Hardship Waivers or Cancellation of Removal Cases. They are to assess how the deportation or separation of the individual would cause “extreme hardship” to the qualifying family member, such as a U.S. citizen spouse, parent or child.
Asylum Evaluation
Evaluations assessing the psychological effects of past trauma experienced in the individual’s home country and the potential mental health risks if the individual were to return to their home country.
Violence Against Women (VAWA) Evaluation
Evaluations assessing the mental and emotional effects of domestic violence or abuse, often highlighting trauma symptoms, depression, anxiety and psychological impact of controlling and abusive behavior.
The FEE for an immigration evaluation is $1,300. This includes the clinical interview, the written report which is sent to both you and your attorney, communication with your attorney and any additional documentation that is needed.
If the report needs to be EXPEDITED, there will be an additional $500 fee.
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The fee for TESTIFYING in court is $350 per hour.
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PAYMENT PLAN: You may divide the total fee into two payments. The first half is due before the evaluation appointment and the remainder must be paid upon completion of the report. After the fee is paid in full, the written report will be sent to both you and your attorney.