services
Psychotherapy services
Our psychotherapy services at We Belong Counseling are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions, identify patterns, and work toward personal growth. We use a variety of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual needs, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Our goal is to help clients navigate life’s challenges, manage stress, and build healthier relationships. With a compassionate and collaborative approach, we empower individuals to gain insights, develop coping skills, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
Counseling Services
At We Belong Counseling, our counseling services are centered on providing compassionate, client-focused support to help individuals navigate life’s many challenges. Whether dealing with stress, relationship issues, or major life transitions, our counselors work alongside clients to foster resilience and emotional growth. We employ evidence-based techniques and a personalized approach, ensuring that each session addresses the unique needs of the individual. By focusing on building strengths and practical skills, we empower clients to make positive changes, improve their mental health, and lead more fulfilling lives.
Applied Behavioral Services
Our Applied Behavioral Services at We Belong Counseling focus on promoting meaningful, positive changes in behavior to enhance daily living and overall well-being. Using evidence-based approaches, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), we work with individuals to develop effective strategies tailored to their unique needs and goals. These services are especially beneficial for individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, or those seeking structured support to overcome specific obstacles. Through close collaboration, we help clients build essential life skills, improve social interactions, and foster greater independence, all within a compassionate and supportive framework.
Art Therapy
At We Belong Counseling, our Art Therapy services provide a creative outlet for self-expression and healing, allowing clients to explore emotions and experiences in a non-verbal, therapeutic way. Through various art forms—such as drawing, painting, and sculpting—clients can gain insights, process difficult feelings, and build coping skills in a safe and supportive environment. Art Therapy is especially effective for those who may find it challenging to express themselves verbally, offering an alternative path to emotional exploration and growth. Guided by trained therapists, this approach encourages self-discovery, reduces stress, and enhances mental well-being, helping clients reconnect with their inner strengths and foster a greater sense of empowerment.
Immigration Evaluations
Bilingual Immigration Psychological Evaluations in Miami (Spanish / English)
We can complete the Deportation Waiver and VAWA Psychological Evaluations within 48 hours of meeting you. We conduct evaluations in-person or remotely via video chat if conditions allow. We also include the full report.
• Mental Health Screening
• Anxiety and Depression Inventories
• PTSD Inventory
• Mini-Mental Status Exam
• Health Anxiety Inventory
• Domestic Violence and Abuse Questionnaires
• Cognitive Assessments
• PH9
• GAD7
• Trauma Questionnaires
We provide all questionnaires and inventories in both English and Spanish.
Psychological Evaluations for VAWA Immigration Cases
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is crucial in offering protection and assistance to victims of domestic violence, particularly immigrants. Under VAWA, victims have the opportunity to apply for lawful immigration status without relying on their abuser, which prevents further exposure to violence and manipulation.
VAWA encompasses a broad definition of abuse, which includes not just physical acts, but also emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. Importantly, the abuser does not need to be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident for the victim to be eligible under VAWA's provisions.
A key component of applying for VAWA protection can be the psychological assessment, which evaluates the victim’s mental and emotional condition and assesses the impact of the abuse. This assessment looks at various forms of abuse, such as coercion and intimidation, and examines how these have affected the victim’s mental health and daily functioning. It is also crucial for identifying mental health issues resulting from abuse, like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other disorders.
Conducting a thorough psychological evaluation can play a vital role in the VAWA application process (Form I-360), as it provides credible evidence of the abuse and its effects, thereby aiding in securing the protection and status the victim seeks. The insights gained from these evaluations are integral to both legal proceedings and the healing process for victims.
Asylum Case Psychological Evaluations
Evaluations and assessments are essential in asylum applications, particularly for individuals who have faced persecution or mistreatment in their home countries. These evaluations help demonstrate the profound impact that persecution has had on an individual's mental and emotional well-being.
Applicants may be considered part of a "Particular Social Group" that faces increased scrutiny or danger from their government. This category can include those with diverse sexual orientations, political opinions, dissidents, certain family affiliations, or former military personnel. These groups may be perceived as threats or undesirable by their home governments, leading to persecution.
The evaluation process for asylum seekers typically involves:
- Assessing Mental and Emotional Impact: Understanding how past persecution has affected their mental health, as well as the potential long-term effects if such persecution were to continue.
- Establishing a Credible Fear: Asylum seekers must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on their membership in a particular social group, political beliefs, religion, nationality, or race.
- Government's Role: An essential criterion for asylum is proving that the home government is either unable or unwilling to provide protection from such persecution.
These evaluations and assessments provide critical evidence that supports the individual's asylum application, ensuring that their fears and experiences are presented clearly and compellingly to immigration authorities.
Psychological Evaluations for U-Visa & T-Visa
U and T visas are specifically designed to support victims of certain crimes, providing them with a pathway to lawful immigration status in the United States if they have experienced significant physical or psychological harm. Both visa types require that the victims assist law enforcement agencies in investigating or prosecuting the crime, which can be critical for their eligibility.
Key Aspects of U and T Visa Evaluations:
- Mental Health Evaluation:
- An assessment is conducted to evaluate the victim's mental health, which may include a thorough review of their psychological history, trauma, and any ongoing mental health issues resulting from the crime.
- This evaluation aims to understand the psychological impact of the crime not only on the individual but also on their family members. - Assessment Focus:
- Evaluators look at symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions that may have developed due to the crime.
- The evaluation may also entail therapy sessions to help victims address the emotional and psychological effects of their experiences. - Expertise in Immigration Law:
- Having expertise in the legal hurdles that victims may face in immigration courts is essential. Professionals like WBC are equipped to provide evaluations that meet the specific legal requirements, ensuring that the insights gained are relevant to the legal context of U and T visa applications. - Legal Considerations:
- It is crucial that the evaluations support the claims regarding the impact of the criminal act on the victim’s life, thereby strengthening the application for D and T visa approval.
Understanding and addressing the psychological effects of crime on victims is an integral part of the U and T visa application process, and thorough evaluations can significantly assist in helping victims gain the protection they need in the U.S.
Hardship Waiver Evaluations with Form I-601
To obtain an immigration waiver for a relative facing deportation or removal, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must demonstrate "extreme hardship." This hardship arises from the consequences of the relative's deportation and must show a level of severity that is greater than the typical difficulties associated with deportation.
Key Points About Proving Extreme Hardship:
- Definition and Considerations:
- While U.S. law does not provide a clear definition of "extreme hardship," it is generally understood to encompass challenges that go beyond the normal impacts of deportation.
- Factors considered include the specific circumstances of each individual case, allowing for a holistic view of the hardships involved. - Qualifying Relatives:
- The relatives who may qualify for such waivers include spouses, children, parents, and same-sex partners recognized under the Defense of Marriage Act. - Factors for Consideration:
- Family Separation: Emotional and psychological impacts of being separated from the affected relative.
- Financial and Medical Problems: The effect deportation may have on financial stability or access to medical care.
- Mental Health: How the situation affects the mental well-being of family members.
- Safety Concerns: Potential dangers faced by the relative in their home country.
- Difficulty Adapting: Challenges in readapting to life in the home country.
- Lack of Resources: Insufficient educational and medical resources in the foreign location. - Evaluation Process:
- A detailed evaluation often involves a comprehensive questionnaire that examines the individual’s history, current situation, and challenges faced due to the potential or actual deportation.
- Psychological testing can also be administered to glean insights into the applicant's mental health and the potential difficulties they would encounter if they were to remain in or relocate to the U.S. - Application Forms:
- Waivers can be applied for using forms such as I-601 and I-601(a). These waivers can address various issues, including certain criminal offenses, immigration fraud, or deception.
- For couples seeking a fiancé(e) visa, it may also be necessary to explain any inability to meet in person over the last two years due to the circumstances.
Providing a thorough and well-documented evaluation of extreme hardship is crucial in strengthening the case for an immigration waiver, ensuring the unique challenges faced by the family are fully articulated and understood by adjudicators.
Al pensar en los beneficios de una Evaluación Psicológica de Inmigración, es posible que tenga algunas preguntas...
La Evaluación Psicológica de Inmigración es un proceso importante que puede brindar beneficios significativos a quienes buscan apoyo en sus casos de inmigración. Aquí hay un desglose de cómo funciona el proceso y lo que puede esperar:
Proceso de Evaluación Psicológica de Inmigración
- Contactar para una Consulta:
- Llame para discutir su caso y para programar una cita inicial. - Cita Inicial:
- Durante la cita inicial, se recopilará toda la información relevante y la historia de su caso. También comenzaremos a administrar instrumentos psicológicos para evaluar su situación. - Citas Adicionales:
- Si es necesario, se programarán citas adicionales para revisar los datos y los resultados de las pruebas. - Revisión del Informe:
- Una vez que se completa la evaluación, se enviará el informe a usted para su revisión y aprobación. - Envío al Abogado:
- Una vez que apruebe el informe, se enviará a su abogado para que lo incluya en su caso. - Tiempo de Compleción:
- El proceso se lleva a cabo de manera eficiente. Las citas psicológicas y la administración de pruebas se realizan rápidamente, y el informe generalmente estará listo la semana siguiente.
Beneficios de la Evaluación Psicológica
- Obtener una evaluación completa y precisa es crítico para fortalecer su caso de inmigración.
- Tener un profesional con experiencia, como el Dr. Benejam, garantiza que se aborden todas las preocupaciones y que se presente la información necesaria para el éxito de la solicitud.
Disponibilidad y Accesibilidad
- Dr. Benejam es completamente bilingüe (español e inglés) y responde todas las llamadas directamente.
- Se ofrecen convenientes ubicaciones en Miami y Boca Ratón.
- En ciertos casos, las evaluaciones remotas pueden realizarse a través de tecnología sencilla, como videollamadas.
Si tiene preguntas adicionales sobre el proceso o cómo puede ayudar en su situación específica, no dude en comunicarse. Estamos aquí para ayudarlo a determinar los mejores pasos a seguir y brindarle el apoyo que necesita en su caso de inmigración.
Proceso de Evaluación Psicológica de Inmigración
- Contactar para una Consulta:
- Llame para discutir su caso y para programar una cita inicial. - Cita Inicial:
- Durante la cita inicial, se recopilará toda la información relevante y la historia de su caso. También comenzaremos a administrar instrumentos psicológicos para evaluar su situación. - Citas Adicionales:
- Si es necesario, se programarán citas adicionales para revisar los datos y los resultados de las pruebas. - Revisión del Informe:
- Una vez que se completa la evaluación, se enviará el informe a usted para su revisión y aprobación. - Envío al Abogado:
- Una vez que apruebe el informe, se enviará a su abogado para que lo incluya en su caso. - Tiempo de Compleción:
- El proceso se lleva a cabo de manera eficiente. Las citas psicológicas y la administración de pruebas se realizan rápidamente, y el informe generalmente estará listo la semana siguiente.
Beneficios de la Evaluación Psicológica
- Obtener una evaluación completa y precisa es crítico para fortalecer su caso de inmigración.
- Tener un profesional con experiencia, como el Dr. Benejam, garantiza que se aborden todas las preocupaciones y que se presente la información necesaria para el éxito de la solicitud.
Disponibilidad y Accesibilidad
- Dr. Benejam es completamente bilingüe (español e inglés) y responde todas las llamadas directamente.
- Se ofrecen convenientes ubicaciones en Miami y Boca Ratón.
- En ciertos casos, las evaluaciones remotas pueden realizarse a través de tecnología sencilla, como videollamadas.
Si tiene preguntas adicionales sobre el proceso o cómo puede ayudar en su situación específica, no dude en comunicarse. Estamos aquí para ayudarlo a determinar los mejores pasos a seguir y brindarle el apoyo que necesita en su caso de inmigración.
