How much does a T visa psychological evaluation cost, and how quickly is the report ready?

The fee is a flat $1,200, paid privately, and a limited sliding scale may be possible if paying in full would be a hardship. Reports are usually completed within five business days, and a 48-hour rush option is available for an additional $500. There is no guaranteed outcome — the evaluation documents the clinical picture honestly rather than promising a particular result.

Will I have to relive or describe every detail of the trafficking?

No. The evaluation is trauma-informed, so the goal is to understand the psychological impact of what happened, not to test your memory or press for details you are not ready to share. Fragmented or incomplete memories are common after trauma and do not disqualify you — a skilled evaluator works with what you are able to say and documents the clinical picture with care.

Can the evaluation be done online, and do I need an attorney or interpreter first?

Yes — every evaluation is conducted 100% by secure telehealth, so you can take part from anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. You do not need an attorney to schedule, though Cheryl Chen, LMHC-D, LPC, is glad to coordinate with your lawyer if you have one. Sessions are available in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese directly with Cheryl, and in Spanish or any other language through a professional interpreter at no additional cost.

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Immigration5 min read

T Visa Psychological Evaluation for Trafficking Survivors

Trauma-informed evaluation setting for T visa cases

A T visa may be available to certain individuals who are or were victims of a severe form of human trafficking. A psychological evaluation for a T visa case requires particular care. Many trafficking survivors carry experiences of coercion, fear, exploitation, shame, and profound disruption of trust — and these experiences need to be documented in a way that is both clinically accurate and genuinely respectful of the person sharing them.

Why these evaluations need to be handled carefully

Trafficking survivors often face specific challenges when it comes to telling their story. Memory can be fragmented or inconsistent — not because someone is being dishonest, but because trauma affects how memories are stored and retrieved. Shame and self-blame are common, as are fear of not being believed, difficulty trusting new people, and uncertainty about what is safe to say and to whom.

A trauma-informed evaluator understands these dynamics. The goal of the evaluation is not to press for every detail at once or to test the consistency of the client's account. It is to understand the psychological impact of what happened in a careful, respectful, and clinically appropriate way — and to document that impact clearly for the attorney's use.

Is it hard to talk about what happened, or do you worry your memory is not reliable enough? These are not disqualifying concerns. A trained evaluator knows how trauma affects memory and communication — and that context belongs in the report.

What a T visa evaluation may document

The evaluation typically explores the emotional and psychological impact of the trafficking experience. This may include:

Trauma symptoms such as intrusive memories, nightmares, or hypervigilance
Depression, anxiety, or emotional numbness
Shame, guilt, or self-blame connected to the experience
Difficulty trusting others or fear of authority figures
Sleep problems or physical symptoms related to stress
Dissociation or difficulty feeling present
How the experience affected daily life, relationships, and functioning

What to expect during the process

The clinical interview is conducted with care and patience. The evaluator will not push for details beyond what is necessary and will explain the purpose of each area of questioning. If anything feels unsafe or too difficult to address in the moment, that is something to raise — the process should not feel like an interrogation.

The final written report organizes the clinical findings and explains the psychological impact in language the attorney can use. It does not require the client to have told a perfect or fully complete story. A good evaluator works with what the person is able to share and documents the clinical picture honestly and carefully.

For more detail on the interview process itself, see what questions are asked in an immigration psychological evaluation.