COMPETENCY EVALUATIONS
Learn how to Conduct and Write Immigration Mental Competency Evaluations With Confidence
LIVE 🗓️ March 6th, 9:30 am - 11:30 am (Pacific)
In this live workshop, you’ll learn how to assess mental competence in immigration proceedings and write reports that clearly align with immigration court requirements.
You’ll leave prepared to conduct evaluations ethically, defensibly, and in a language immigration courts actually understand.
Mental competence in immigration court is not the same as criminal competence — and applying the wrong framework, language, or assumptions can weaken a report or limit its usefulness to the court.
With the growing number of respondents experiencing serious mental health and cognitive impairments, clinicians are increasingly being asked to weigh in on competency without clear training or guidance.
This workshop exists to close that gap, so you’re not left winging high-stakes evaluations or second-guessing whether you did it “right.”
The course is split into three parts:
1 - Legal framework for mental competence in immigration court
How mental competence is defined in immigration court
The psycho-legal questions judges are actually asking
Key differences between criminal and immigration competency
When competency evaluations are triggered in immigration proceedings
2 - Conducting the competency evaluation
Assessing understanding of immigration proceedings
Evaluating functional abilities, not just diagnoses
Identifying indicia of incompetence and required safeguards
Choosing appropriate assessment tools and interview strategies
Avoiding common errors in immigration competency evaluations
3 - Writing an effective immigration competency report
Structuring reports to align with Matter of M-A-M- and Franco-Gonzalez
Connecting clinical findings to legal criteria
Writing clear, neutral, court-appropriate language
Distinguishing competent vs. incompetent findings
Streamlining the report-writing process
What’s Included:
Sample reports
Live Q+A with expert immigration evaluator with over 17 years of experience
Sample reports (one competent, one incompetent)
Helpful templates, including an intake guide, client forms, and symptoms checklist
All presentation slides
90-day viewing of the recorded training
Invitation to join Dr. Shibley's exclusive Facebook group, where you can have your questions answered and continue your learning journey
PLUS, THESE BONUSES!!
Immigration Competency Assessment Interview Template with a fully structured interview guide broken down by evaluation section, including essential questions and clinical prompts tied directly to immigration competency criteria. It’s everything you need to confidently conduct your first competency interview — without reinventing the wheel.
2 Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association*
*PsychEvalCoach is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PsychEvalCoach maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Out-of-state licensees should check with their state governing board to make sure that the CE credits are valid in their state for their license. Acceptance of the CE credits for this activity is at the discretion of your licensing board.
Meet Your Instructor
I’m Dr. Mariela Shibley, a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 17 years of experience conducting immigration psychological evaluations.
I teach clinicians how to translate sound clinical work into clear, legally relevant reports that attorneys can rely on.
My approach emphasizes disciplined judgment, psycho-legal clarity, and ethical practice in high-stakes immigration cases.
I’m looking forward to working with you!
Learn How to Conduct Immigration Competency Evaluations
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$297
LIVE via Zoom
March 6 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am (Pacific)
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t attend live?
You’ll receive access to the full recording if you’re unable to attend live. That said, attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions and clarify nuances in real time. Immigration competency evaluations are highly contextual, and the live Q&A is often where important distinctions become clearer.
How do I access the training?
The workshop will be hosted live on Zoom. After registering, you’ll receive access through the Teachable course hub, where you’ll find the Zoom link, materials, and replay. The recording will be uploaded as soon as it becomes available.
Can you remind me what’s included?
Your registration includes:
Sample reports
Live Q+A with expert immigration evaluator with over 17 years of experience
Sample reports (one competent, one incompetent)
Helpful templates, including an intake guide, client forms, and symptoms checklist
All presentation slides
90-day viewing of the recorded training
Invitation to join Dr. Shibley's exclusive Facebook group, where you can have your questions answered and continue your learning journey
This is designed to be immediately applicable — not just conceptual.
Can’t I just learn this from other immigration evaluation trainings?
Most immigration evaluation trainings focus on hardship, asylum, or other forms of relief. Competency in immigration court is governed by a distinct legal framework and very few trainings address how to operationalize that standard in clinical assessment and report writing.
If you intend to conduct immigration competency evaluations, structured training specific to this issue matters.
Is this state-specific?
No. Immigration law is federal and applies nationwide. The legal standards discussed in this workshop apply across U.S. immigration courts.
Who can conduct immigration competency evaluations? Do I have to be a psychologist?
No. You do not have to be a psychologist to conduct immigration competency evaluations.
In general, licensed mental health professionals are permitted to perform these assessments, provided they are practicing within the scope of their licensure and training. The primary limitation typically relates to which psychological measures you are authorized to administer under your state licensing board.
As with any forensic or psycho-legal work, it is your responsibility to ensure that the tools you use and the services you provide are consistent with your scope of practice and state regulations.
I already understand criminal competency. Isn’t this similar?
There are important overlaps — but also critical differences.
Immigration competency is functional and governed by a different legal standard. Applying criminal competency language or assumptions can weaken the usefulness of your report. This workshop clarifies where the frameworks diverge and how to translate your clinical skills appropriately.
Is this appropriate for someone newer to immigration evaluations?
Yes — as long as you have foundational training in conducting immigration evaluations.
This workshop assumes you understand basic immigration court structure and the role of psychological evaluations. It builds specifically on how to assess and write competency evaluations within that context. If you want to learn the foundations of immigration evaluations, check out our Expert Training in Immigration Evaluations course here.
Will this give me everything I need to start conducting competency evaluations?
This workshop is designed to prepare you to conduct and write immigration competency evaluations with clarity and alignment to Matter of M-A-M- and Franco-Gonzalez.
As with all forensic work, ongoing professional judgment and consultation may still be appropriate depending on the case. But you will leave with a clear framework, practical tools, and usable examples.
What if I register and realize it’s not for me?
Because this is a digital training that includes immediate access to materials and downloadable resources, refunds are not offered.
If you’re unsure whether this workshop is appropriate for your practice, you’re welcome to review the outline carefully or reach out before registering.
Why does this training matter right now?
Immigration courts are increasingly encountering respondents with serious mental health and cognitive impairments. Competency determinations affect how proceedings move forward and what safeguards are applied.
If you plan to conduct these evaluations, proper training protects both your professional integrity and the individuals you are evaluating.