Services
The SDP–Keck Human Rights Clinic is a volunteer-run clinic, and all services are provided free of charge.
Forensic Psychological Evaluations
We provide pro-bono forensic psychological evaluations for a range of cases from asylum, U-Visa, T-Visa, and VAWA petitions.
To ensure appropriate clinical licensure, individuals referred to the clinic must be residing in California, as our clinicians are licensed to practice within the state.
Evaluations are primarily conducted virtually, with in-person assessments available on a limited basis depending on clinician availability. As a volunteer-run clinic, clinician availability can vary, and we are not always able to guarantee that every referral can be accommodated. Timelines for evaluations depend on both clinician availability and case urgency. Attorneys are responsible for arranging interpreters if needed. As a teaching clinic, students and clinicians may observe or support evaluations as part of their training.
Our clinic follows documentation guidelines described in the Istanbul Protocol, which is an established framework to help healthcare professionals and legal experts assess and document allegations of abuse for use in human rights proceedings. This is to ensure the records are objective and thorough so they can be used as evidence in court.
Referrals
We currently process referrals through a centralized system in collaboration with the Southern California Human Rights Center (SCHRC) and the Los Angeles Human Rights Initiative (LAHRI) of UCLA. Our centralized referral system accepts direct submissions from immigration attorneys.
Currently, we do not conduct psychological evaluations at the request of an individual; a legal representative is required. If you believe that your case may benefit from an assessment, please consult with your immigration attorney. See Our Partnerships for a list of attorneys we have worked with in the past.
You can specify on the form that you’d like the referral directed to one of our partners, or us at the SDP-Keck Human Rights Clinic. If you’re open to the referral being handled by any clinic in the centralized system, you won’t need to state a preference.
Attorneys that would like to refer their clients can do so through our referral form.
Client Navigator Program
The Client Navigator Program provides a comprehensive connection to resources for individuals who have been referred to the SDP-Keck Human Rights Clinic. Within one year of receiving an assessment, clients may opt to be paired with a student volunteer client navigator. With the client’s consent, the navigator conducts a needs assessment and offers support after the forensic evaluation, and connects clients to appropriate resources and services aligned with their needs and goals.
Training
The SDP-Keck Human Rights Clinic hosts annual and seasonal training sessions for volunteer clinicians to gain the skills necessary to perform forensic evaluations.
Contact Us for More Information
Our Community Resources
Explore our Public Resource Folder to access informational material.
Additional Resources
Clinician & Trauma-Informed Resources
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Physicians for Human Rights: Asylum Network Resources
Center on Immigration and Child Welfare Initiative
Immigration Legal & Policy Resources
American Immigration Council
Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
Immigration Equality
National Immigration Justice Center
Society of Human Welfare: Resources
Human Rights Organizations & Global Advocacy
Human Rights Watch
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Women, Children and Vulnerable Populations
The Center on Immigration and Child Welfare Initiatives (CICW)
Women’s Refugee Commission