October 20, 2025
Anxiety is a common and expected symptom in a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) psychological evaluation, not a disqualifying factor. The VAWA evaluations are designed to document the mental health impact of abuse, which frequently includes anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Sava Healing, a licensed mental health professional will assess how your anxiety connects to the abuse you experienced, thereby strengthening your VAWA petition.
Why anxiety is important to document?
In a VAWA case, anxiety serves as credible evidence of the emotional and psychological harm caused by the abuse. By documenting this trauma, the psychological evaluation provides professional, objective support for your claim of “extreme cruelty”—a key legal requirement for VAWA self-petitions. This is particularly important in cases where there is limited physical documentation of the abuse. Abuse does not always or only have physical scars.
How the evaluator will address anxiety?
- Trauma-informed approach: The assessment is conducted in a way that avoids re-traumatization and goes at a pace that is comfortable for you and create a safe, confidential space.
- Connecting anxiety to abuse: Questions are designed to understand any anxiety symptoms, and the explained in the final report how the symptoms directly relate to your experiences of abuse.
- Using standardized tools: The use of psychological assessments or questionnaires may be needed. These tools provide measurable data to corroborate your testimony.
- Considering context: The evaluator will consider how your immigration history and other life circumstances may contribute to or worsen your anxiety. They will also look at the potential for your anxiety to be exacerbated if you were denied legal status.
XO,
Sava Healing