International Adoption Psychological Evaluation
The psychological evaluation is one of many steps required in the
international adoption process.
Your adopting country will get details of you, your life and your personal
history from your home study but will get important information regarding your mental health from
your psychological evaluation.
To make sure their children are going to mentally and
psychologically healthy homes, adopting countries request a psychological
assessment.
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You no doubt have questions and concerns about your evaluation just like I
did when I was in the process of international adoption.
I am an adoptive parent as well. I have personally adopted two wonderful children from
Haiti and I understand the realities and difficulties of the international adoption process.
Read below to find some of the answers to the questions you might be asking yourself about
your upcoming psychological evaluation.
What should I do to in preparationfor
my international adoption psychologicalevaluation?
While working through the adoption process, many adoptive parents feel anxiety, fear,
and stress. These feelings, Although these feelings are difficult to face, they are completely normal in this
process.
Some of reasons for these feelings are:
1. |
There are professionals (social workers, psychologists, judges) who have
the power to say yes or no to your dream of becoming an adoptive parent, |
2. |
Many personal details of your life have been exposed to strangers, and |
3. |
The immense amount of complicated paperwork required from international adoption. |
I hope that by addressing these thoughts and feelings you can make your experience very
positive. While in the journey of international adoption, you will face many successes as well as
many setbacks.
As a result, it is very important to take time to relax as you keep working
toward the goal of bringing home your forever child or children.
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These tips should make your evaluation easier:
1. |
When making an appointment for your evaluation appointment, make sure
you give yourself enough time to relax before and after. Schedule a fun or enjoyable
activity just before or after your appointment.
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2. |
As you prepare for your evaluation, practice being yourself. Remembering
your good qualities is the best plan. What are your strengths? Remember...there is no
perfect individual and/or perfect parent.
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3. |
Communicate with other adoptive parents who have been through this step in the
adoption process. They will understand your thoughts and feelings. You can even join
international adoption associations online, if you unable to find someone
locally to discuss your adoption.
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4. |
Try to discuss your fears and worries openly with your spouse or even a close
friend. Recognizing these fears and worries, and talking about them, can often dispel
them.
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How do I make an appointment for my psychological
evaluation?
If you are located in eastern Canada, you may make an
appointment for your international adoption evaluation with Anne by clicking on the
calendar to your right. It will take you directly to our secure appointment scheduling
website.
Your international adoption psychological evaluation can be scheduled
on Monday afternoons. If Monday afternoons will not work for you please contact Anne and she will do her best to accommodate you.
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What will I need for my
psychological evaluation?
You will need to complete your home study in order to begin your psychological
evaluation. Please forward a copy of your home study to your psychologist to review when you
schedule an appointment.
It is not advisable to complete your psychological evaluation before you have
completed your home study. While some psychologists will allow it, the evaluation will cost much more
as it will take much more time to complete.
What will happen at my international adoption
psychological evaluation?
At the beginning of the interview, there will be general information gathering and a
discussion of confidentiality.
Confidentiality will be different in a psychological evaluation when compared
to typical therapeutic situation. When having your evaluation, you are requesting a document to submit to
other authorities and/or professionals for the purpose of adoption.
In the next step of your interview we will talk about issues that are important to you as
an individual (or as a couple) and as a family. You will also be asked about your mental health, past or present
mental health issues, ways you may have addressed or are addressing mental health issues, and how you see any
mental health issues affecting your ability to adopt and/or parent.
In the final phase of the evaluation you will be asked to complete one or two formal
tests.
What tests will be used in my international adoption psychological
evaluation?
The psychological evaluation includes a formal testing process as was noted in the previous
question. These are tests that are used by psychologists, have empirical study behind them, and look for potential
weaknesses and strengths.
They are self-report questionnaires which will give further information on personality issues,
mental health issues, and character strengths. They are not designed to trick you or make you look bad.
There are no incorrect answers and should be answered as honestly as possible.
Some countries (such as the Philippines) specify what test or tests are required while some
(such as Thailand or Haiti) leave the testing to the discretion of the psychologist.
How long the interview will be?
The interview will take 3 to 4 hours. The appointment will include an interview and time
for formal test(s). Please make your appointment at a convenient time when you will not be pressed for time.
(As of July 2013, Anne completes adoption asessments on Monday afternoons. If this time
will not work for you please contact Anne.)
How long will it take to get the final copy of the
evaluation?
Once your interview and testing are completed, it will take two to three weeks for your
international adoption psychological evaluation to be completed.
How do I make payment for my international adoption
evaluation?
You may pay for your evaluation prior to your appointment or on the
day of your interview process.
You may pay with cash, cheque, or you can use PayPal by clicking here and selecting option #3.
Adoption assessments vary in price from $800 to $1200 depending on the
requirements of the adopting country.
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After making payment by PayPal, you will instantly receive a PayPal invoice for
your records. Anne will then send you an official invoice asap by email in PDF format.
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You will receive a copy of your psychological
assessment once it has been paid for in full. |
Where can I get my assessment translated?
There are many countries that require all of your documents to be translated into the primary
language of that country.
Your psychological assessment will be written in English and it will be your responsibility (or
your agency's responsibility) to have it translated.
There are many excellent translators and you may be surprised at how inexpensive it can be.
Some excellent and inexpensive translation services can be found at www.freelancer.com.
Freelancer.com connects those who need a project completed with those who need employment.
It is worldwide.
Freelancer can be used short term and is free to post a project.
Instructions:
Click www.freelancer.com or the logo above.
Click the "Hire" button.
Select "Writing"
Select "Translate Something"
Click "Post Your Project Free" button
On the next page you will need to create a user name and password.
You will also need to fill in your project details and click "Post Project Now".
Be sure to specify what you need, your budget and your time frame. Most translation
projects
Click here to see the current translation projects on Freelancer that are being bid on or
completed right now to give you ideas for wording your project.
For help watch this video...
There is absolutely no cost to submit a project. After submitting your project
you will receive many proposals from many different folks around the world. It is best if you can find someone in
your adopting country to do your translating as languages vary from country to country.
When you find a proposal you like, you can then accept it. Your virtual worker will complete
your project. You will not pay anything until the job is completed to your satisfaction.
Expect to pay between $.02 and $.08 per word compared to the about $.20 plus you will pay in
Canada or USA. Payments are usually made thru PayPal.
You can always tip your virtual assitant upon completion of the project to show your
appreciation.
Freelancer will take a percentage as their fee when you make payment to your worker.
Other Translation Options:
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Check your local yellow pages for
translation services.
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Go to Google and search "English to ??? translation" to find suitable translation services.
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Ask the orphanage who most adoptive parents use for translation.
What about notarization?
Most countries require the international adoption psychological assessment be notarized. This
can be done by a local lawyer. Many lawyers do not charge for such a service once they find out what you need the
notarizing for.
international adoption psychological
evaluation
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