A clear, step-by-step walkthrough of what happens from your first inquiry through delivery of the final forensic psychological report. Standard timeline is 2-3 weeks total. Priority and emergency rush options are available for cases with imminent hearings or filing deadlines. Ver el proceso en español →
Quick answer
The process has six stages: (1) free 15-minute intake call, (2) engagement and intake packet, (3) records review, (4) the 90-120 minute clinical evaluation interview, (5) forensic report delivered within 5-7 business days, and (6) attorney review and any RFE-driven addendums. Standard total timeline is 2-3 weeks. Spanish interpretation is included at no extra cost. The flat fee covers everything end-to-end. Schedule the intake call or call (818) 351-3354.
The six stages, explained
1
Free 15-minute intake call
Day 0 / 1-2 business days after first contact
You contact us by phone, email, or the secure form. Within 1-2 business days, we schedule a free 15-minute intake call. During the call we:
Confirm the case type fits the practice scope
Walk through what the evaluation will cover and what legal standards it will address
Agree on the flat fee for your case type ($1,500 to $2,500)
Discuss the timeline relative to any hearing date or filing deadline
Determine whether priority or emergency rush is needed
No clinical work happens during this call — it is purely informational and scheduling. You can decline at this stage with no obligation.
2
Engagement and intake packet
Day 1-3 / Within 24 hours after intake call
After the intake call, we send a secure link (HIPAA-covered Google Workspace) with:
The engagement agreement laying out the scope, fee, and timeline
HIPAA notice of privacy practices
Consent forms (informed consent for the forensic evaluation)
Releases of information (so we can communicate with your attorney)
A brief background questionnaire (demographics, basic case facts, medical history)
Spanish-language versions are available on request. Once these are completed and signed, scheduling moves forward. Payment is collected at this stage by cash, credit card, or Zelle. Payment plans are available.
3
Records review
Day 3-7 / Before the clinical interview
Before the clinical interview, Dr. Mantonya reviews the documentation specific to your case:
Personal declaration — your written narrative of the events at issue
Medical and mental-health records — prior treatment history, if any
Country conditions evidence (asylum cases) — State Department reports, UNHCR Refworld data
USCIS or immigration court filings — Notice to Appear, hearing notices, prior decisions
Case-specific documents — police reports (U-visa), trafficking certifications (T-visa), abuser status proof (VAWA), qualifying-relative documentation (hardship/cancellation), N-400 records (N-648)
The review identifies the specific clinical findings most likely to support the legal standard at issue. If important records are missing, we ask for them before the interview rather than discovering the gap during the report.
4
Clinical evaluation interview
Day 7-14 / Scheduled 1-2 weeks after engagement
A 90 to 120 minute structured clinical interview conducted via secure HIPAA-compliant telehealth (or in-person on request, Santa Clarita office). The interview covers:
Background and life history — family, education, work, immigration history
The events relevant to the case — persecution narrative, abuse history, hardship facts, trafficking experience, etc.
Current mental health symptoms — what you experience day-to-day
Functional impairment — how the events have affected work, sleep, relationships, parenting
Standardized testing is administered during the interview: PCL-5 for PTSD, PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, BDI-II for depression severity. Case-specific instruments (DES-II for trafficking, TSI-2 for complex trauma, MoCA for cognitive impairment, SIMS when malingering is foreseeable) are added based on the clinical picture.
The interview is trauma-informed throughout. You can pause, request a break, ask for a question to be repeated or rephrased, or request to skip a topic if recounting it is too distressing. Spanish-language clients have a professional medical interpreter join the secure call automatically — at no extra cost.
5
Forensic report delivered
Day 14-21 / 5-7 business days after the interview
Dr. Mantonya writes the forensic psychological report and delivers it via secure encrypted PDF. The report runs 15 to 25 pages standard, or 20 to 30 pages for hardship waiver and cancellation cases. Every report includes:
Identifying information and referral question
Background and history — narrative summary of the events and your life context
Mental status examination
Standardized testing results with severity scores
DSM-5-TR diagnostic formulation — clinical diagnoses with severity and chronicity
Functional impairment analysis
Clinical opinion addressing the specific legal standard — well-founded fear of persecution, battery or extreme cruelty, substantial physical or mental abuse, extreme hardship, exceptional and extremely unusual hardship, nexus between disability and inability to learn, or the four Matter of M-A-M- competency factors, depending on case type
If you elected priority rush (3 business days, +50%) or emergency rush (24 hours, +100%), the delivery accelerates accordingly.
6
Attorney review, revisions, and any RFE addendums
Ongoing / Through the life of your case
After delivery, Dr. Mantonya collaborates with you and your attorney on revisions at no additional charge:
Factual corrections — wrong date, misspelled name, etc.
Wording adjustments — attorney-requested clarifications or rephrasing
Supplemental analysis — addressing specific points the original report did not anticipate
If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) or DHS counsel challenges the evaluation, we provide an addendum or supplemental letter at no additional charge for issues the original report addressed. Significant new clinical work — for example, a fresh evaluation interview six months later because new symptoms have emerged — would be a separate engagement at a reduced rate ($500-$1,000 depending on scope), discussed and quoted before any work begins.
Note: This practice does not provide live court testimony. Written reports and addendums only.
What to have ready for the clinical interview
Photo identification
Quiet private location where you will not be interrupted
Stable internet connection
Device with camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, or phone)
Water and tissues nearby
Comfortable clothing
USCIS forms or court documents if relevant
Medical records if relevant
Names and dates for the events you will be asked about
Emergency contact — someone who can be available if needed
Frequently asked questions about the process
How long does the entire process take from first contact to delivered report?
Standard timeline is 2-3 weeks total. Initial response within 1-2 business days. Intake call scheduled within a few days. After signed engagement, the clinical interview is typically scheduled 1-2 weeks out. The report is delivered 5-7 business days after the interview. Priority rush (3 days for the report) and emergency rush (24 hours for the report) compress the back end. The intake-to-interview interval depends on Dr. Mantonya's calendar and your availability.
What do I need to bring to the evaluation interview?
Photo identification, a quiet private location, a stable internet connection, and the device you will use (laptop, tablet, or phone with camera). Have water and tissues nearby — trauma-related interviews can be emotionally activating. Wear comfortable clothing. If your case requires it, have copies of your USCIS forms, hearing notices, or relevant medical records readily accessible. Spanish-speaking clients have a professional interpreter join the call automatically.
What is the clinical interview like?
It is a structured clinical conversation, not a cross-examination. Dr. Mantonya will ask about your history, the events relevant to your case, your current mental health symptoms, and how the events have affected your daily life. The interview is trauma-informed: you can pause, request a break, or move past a question if recounting it is too distressing. Some standardized testing happens during the interview (rating scales for symptoms). The full battery takes 90-120 minutes total. Spanish interpretation, when needed, is seamless — the interpreter joins via the secure platform and is bound by the same confidentiality.
Will my attorney be present during the evaluation?
No, attorneys do not attend the clinical interview. The integrity of a forensic psychological evaluation depends on a one-on-one clinician-evaluee interaction without third-party influence on what is reported. Your attorney will receive the final report and can discuss its content with Dr. Mantonya by phone or email after delivery — that consultation is included in the flat fee.
Can I see the report before it goes to USCIS or the court?
Your attorney receives the report directly. You can review it through your attorney. If you are unrepresented, you receive the report and can review it before it is submitted. If anything in the report is factually inaccurate (a date wrong, a relative misnamed), Dr. Mantonya will correct it. However, clinical findings — diagnoses, symptom severity, the clinical opinion — are based on the evaluator's professional judgment and are not negotiable. A forensic evaluator who alters clinical conclusions at a client's request is no longer credible to USCIS or the court.
What happens if my evaluation is challenged or doubted?
If USCIS or DHS counsel challenges the evaluation in an RFE, supplemental brief, or hearing testimony, Dr. Mantonya provides an addendum or supplemental letter at no additional charge for issues the original report addressed. Significant new clinical work — for example, a fresh evaluation interview because new symptoms have emerged six months later — would be a separate engagement at a reduced rate. Dr. Mantonya does not provide live court testimony as part of the practice; written reports and addendums only.
Is the evaluation confidential?
Yes. Your records are protected by federal psychotherapist-patient privilege (Jaffee v. Redmond, 518 U.S. 1, 1996), the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), California Evidence Code 1014, HIPAA, and the California Values Act (SB 54). The report is shared only with you, your attorney, and the immigration agency or court you authorize. ICE cannot compel records without a court order — administrative warrants are insufficient. See our privacy policy for full details.
Do I need a lawyer to start this process?
Strongly recommended but not required. Most evaluations are referred by immigration attorneys because the evaluation is more effective when coordinated with the legal strategy. If you are unrepresented, we can refer you to legal aid organizations in California that provide free or low-cost immigration representation. Some forms of relief (cancellation of removal, hardship waivers) are very difficult without legal representation.
What if I cannot afford the flat fee?
We offer payment plans for clients who need them — typically half before the evaluation and half before report delivery. We do not perform evaluations pro bono in this practice (the work is too time-intensive), but we can refer you to nonprofit programs that fund forensic evaluations for low-income immigrants. Some California immigrant legal services organizations have sliding-scale or grant-funded evaluation programs.
Ready to start the process?
Free 15-minute intake call to confirm fit, walk through your case, and lock the flat fee before any clinical work begins. Response within 1-2 business days. Spanish available.
Disclaimer: This page describes the typical process. Specific timelines and procedures may vary based on case type, urgency, and individual circumstances. The information here does not constitute legal or clinical advice and does not establish a clinician-patient relationship.