Forensic Mental Health Assessment (FMHA) in Immigration Court: Clinical Considerations
Live Online Training
December 11, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
There is significant opportunity for psychological science and expertise to contribute to the improvement of legal decision-making in the context of immigration proceedings. Many of the legal issues involved in immigration court (IC) decisions include mental health concepts (e.g., fear of persecution, mental abuse, credibility, competency for self-representation). The demand for psychologists to conduct FMHA in IC has increased as the number of immigrants in detention and facing removal (deportation) has also increased. These evaluations require specialized knowledge in the areas of immigration law, forensic assessment, and cross-cultural psychology. This virtual, four-hour training provides a brief review of the context of immigration law and relevant psycholegal issues, as well as practical and cultural considerations for the practice of FMHA in immigration proceedings. This session is well suited to mental health practitioners that want to learn more about immigration law and how they can use their expertise in in immigration cases.
Participants can earn up to 4 APA-approved CEUs. Please contact us for detailed information about the days schedule.
Learning Objectives
Describe the different forms of relief available to undocumented non-citizens in the U.S. and the related psycholegal issues.
Discuss other relevant forensic issues in immigration court, such as credibility and competency.
Identify challenges of cross-cultural assessment, such as the assessment of PTSD and intellectual disabilities cross culturally.
Instructors
Virginia Barber-Rioja, PhD, obtained her Ph.D. in clinical forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. For eight years, she worked in the NYC jail system holding the positions of Co-Chief and Clinical Director of Mental Health for Correctional Health Services/NYC Health + Hospitals. She also worked as Assistant Chief of Forensic Services overseeing all the competency to stand trial evaluations in the NYC court system. Prior to this, Dr. Barber worked as a staff psychologist in forensic inpatient hospitals and as the clinical director of diversion and reentry programs. Currently, Dr. Barber-Rioja consults for the Center for Justice Innovation as a Senior Clinical Policy Advisor and for correctional systems across the country. She also maintains an independent forensic practice involving training and forensic assessment in immigration, state, and federal courts. She is an adjunct assistant professor in the Psychology Department of New York University and the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology of Teachers College, Columbia University. She has over 20 years of experience working in correctional and forensic contexts, including jails, forensic hospitals, and alternative to incarceration and reentry programs. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and is the first author of the book “Mental Health Evaluations in Immigration Court: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals” published by NYU Press, and the first editor of the “Handbook of Mental Health Assessment and Treatment in Jails” published by Oxford Press. She is an elected Member-At-Large of the American Psychology Law Society (APLS), a board member of the Asociación Iberoamericana de Justicia Terapéutica and a former elected member of the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Legal Issues (COLI).
Neither the instructors nor the program planning committee (Daniel Murrie, Ph.D., Lucy Guarnera, Ph.D.) have any conflicts of interest or commercial support to disclose.
Continuing Education
Participants are eligible for up to 4 hours of continuing education credits (CEUs) approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). ILPPP is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ILPPP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
You must join by 1:15 pm and stay for the duration of the presentation in order to receive the CE credits.
CE credits are applicable for licensed psychologists; other disciplines will need to check the relevant statutes and guidance regarding whether or not this can count towards any CE requirement.
Training Fees
$95: Registration
Occasionally large facilities or state agencies outside Virginia want to send a team of trainees, for whom we can arrange a discounted group rate. Please contact us to discuss such arrangements.
How to Register
Scroll to the top of the page to register via the Eventbrite checkout. You will receive the Zoom link closer to the date of training and detailed attendance instructions.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your registration up to 7 days before the event starts. Your confirmation email will have information on how to cancel. All refunds will be assessed by Eventbrite's service fee. This fee is 6.6% of the registration price + $1.79. This fee will be assessed regardless of when the cancellation occurs in relation to the date of the training.
Please allow 30 days to receive a refund. Refunds will be processed according to the original payment method.