Protect Yourself from Scams When Seeking an Immigration Mental Health Evaluation
You deserve ethical and professional behavior, and to be informed of your rights before working with an evaluator.
— Jocelyn W. Cooper, LPC
A couple was recently referred to me who had been the victims of a scam - someone offered to complete the mental health evaluation for their immigration case and was suddenly unreachable after they paid in full. You deserve ethical and professional behavior, and to be informed of your rights before working with an evaluator. Here are some things you can look for to make sure you’re working with a qualified, licensed professional.
A legitimate evaluator will always hold an active professional license, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The actual titles will vary between states, however what will remain constant is the ability to confirm the legitimacy of their license through state licensing databases, which are public and free to use. Type “state + discipline + ‘verify license’” into your search bar, example - “VA + counseling + verify license”. For example, you can verify my credentials (VA 0701009417, FL TPMC2446) here:
Virginia Department of Health Professions: https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/lookup/
Florida Telehealth Provider Registry: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/
If someone refuses to share their license number or full name as it appears on their license, that’s a huge red flag.
Check for professional licensure
2. A business registration can be an additional marker of accountability.
Some professional operate through a registered business or group practice, others work as licensed sole providers under their own name. Neither structure is inherently more credible than the other. A business registration can be an additional marker of accountability that shows that the provider is accountable to state regulations. It is worth checking if one exists, but its absence alone does not indicate a problem.
For example, you can confirm my practice, Esprit Therapeutics, LLC is a registered Virginia business here (Entity ID: 11098957): https://cis.scc.virginia.gov. It will show my business formation date, my status with the state, and the effective date of my status. To find a business registry, try searching “state + ‘state business registration’”/"VA + state business registration”.
3. Look for clear and consistent contact information.
This one is a little complicated because a website is not required to be a legitimate provider, but it can be a helpful marker of transparency. A website with service descriptions, policies, and clear contact information suggests a professional who operates openly and expects to be researched. My website - https://immigration.esprittherapeutics.com - includes service descriptions, policies, and secure ways to contact me directly.
Not having a website is not an automatic red flag. What matters more is consistency: does their name, license number, and contact information all match up? Can you find them through a state licensing board?
If a provider only communicates through messaging apps or general email (like gmail.com or WhatsApp) and can’t provide a website or licensure information, that’s a warning sign.
4. Ask about their evaluation process
Scammers often avoid details and explaining how the evaluation works. A legitimate evaluator should be able to clearly outline their process. For example, here’s what my detailed process looks like:
Optional free consultation
Informed consent and secure intake paperwork
Scheduling interview and payment
Interview is conducted via HIPAA compliant video platforms (Simple Practice/Google Meet)
Report drafted and finalized within a specified timeline
Secure electronic delivery of the completed report to you and/or your legal representation
Up to 2 revisions within 2 weeks of report delivery, if necessary
Transparency is a major marker of professionalism. If they seem to hesitate or can’t give you a straight answer, you may want to search for a different evaluator. Ask detailed questions, you should always know what to expect.
Legitimate mental health professionals are legally required to protect your confidentiality. They use HIPAA compliant systems for video sessions, forms, and document storage. You should also receive clear, written informed consent documents before starting services, which will outline your rights, fees, and the limits to confidentiality. I’ve chosen the programs I use with care, ensuring each has high security standards and is HIPAA compliant to safeguard your information.
5. Confirm privacy and security practices
6. Trust your gut and take your time
If something feels rushed/unclear/pressured, then slow down! A legitimate evaluator will respect your need to verify their credentials and move at your own pace. It’s always okay to ask questions like:
“Can you share your license number?”
“Do you have a business registration?”
“What platform do you use for sessions?”
“Will I receive a written report at the end?”
Ready to take the next step?
This initial step is informational and no commitment is required.