4 Burning Questions Therapists Asked Before Moving Forward with This Work

If you’re considering immigration evaluations, you’re probably intrigued about what’s possible here.

Maybe you’re looking to expand your impact or create new referral streams. You may want to build more flexibility and freedom into your practice. Maybe you’re wanting to make a powerful difference while using skills you already have.

You may also have some questions you need answered.

This is where I’m hoping to help. I talk to a lot of therapists who are excited about this work, but they’re unsure about several key aspects. So here are answers to 4 burning questions your fellow therapists asked before moving forward with this work:

Question #1: "Do I Need to Be Bilingual?"

This is probably the most common question I hear.

And while speaking another language is certainly an asset, it isn't a requirement.

I’m not bilingual, and I work with amazing interpreters who help facilitate the interviews with clients. I find that skilled interpreters are easy to work with and add a great deal to the sessions.

In fact, even bilingual clinicians may work with interpreters from time to time, because their clients speak languages from all over the world.

Also, many evaluations are conducted with a client who is a U.S. citizen and married to an immigrant. (These are called Hardship Waivers). And often these clients speak English fluently, so no interpreter is needed.

Just to add – Working with interpreters is often easier (and more rewarding) than therapists first expect, and it provides access to clients from a broad range of backgrounds who need evaluations.

Question #2: "Is There a Need in My Area?"

This is another question I hear frequently, and it’s an important one.

The reality is that immigrants and immigration lawyers are everywhere. 

And through telehealth, we can work with clients anywhere in the state(s) where we’re licensed, and this vastly opens up the numbers of immigrants and lawyers we can work with.

Many therapists are surprised to discover just how much opportunity exists once they begin looking up immigration lawyers in their state.

Question #3: "Do I Need a Doctorate?"

No, Master’s-level therapists can absolutely do this work.

Doctoral training can provide a wonderful foundation, but it’s not required.

The work relies on the same core skills you already use – clinical interviewing, assessing symptoms, diagnosing, and writing a clear report. Whatever your clinical training, you already have the foundation to do this work.

Question #4: "Do I Need to Be an Incredible Writer?"

The truth here is that our writing only needs to be “good enough.”

Doing this work effectively isn't about sitting down in front of a blank screen and hoping you write something brilliant.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here.

One of the biggest advantages of taking a training on immigration evaluations is that you’ll get resources and templates that do a lot of the work for you, and make the writing process way easier.

Templates will tell you what questions to ask the client and they’ll structure each report according to the type of case, making it simple to present information in a way that's professional and easy to follow.

It’s also easy these days to get help with editing and proofreading. Using A.I. in the right way or hiring a proofreader or writer can make the writing process go much more quickly.

So let go of the perfectionism – this isn't about writing a masterpiece. It's about using tools to communicate a clear clinical picture.

You're More Ready Than You Think

It's natural to imagine reasons why something new might not be a good fit.

Sometimes those concerns are real.

But most of the time, they're just assumptions we haven't questioned yet.

I've watched therapist after therapist go from "I could never do this" to confidently completing evaluations and making a meaningful difference in their clients' lives in the process.

Not because they became bilingual or went back to school or moved to a different city. Not because they became perfect writers.

They just learned what the work actually requires. And realized they were already capable.

Curious what that could look like for you? Watch our free introductory webinar to find out how to provide compelling evaluations, develop referral streams, and get started doing this work.

Check out the Free Intro Webinar here.