Psychological Evaluations for International Adoption

Many countries, and many adoption agencies, ask prospective parents for an evaluation by a licensed psychologist as part of the adoption dossier. For families already navigating paperwork, fingerprints, and long waits, this step can feel daunting. It does not have to.

Dr. David Lombard, PhD, is a licensed Indiana psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical and forensic experience. He provides clear, professional psychological evaluations and reports for prospective adoptive parents, prepared with attention to the specific format and content your agency or the sending country requires.

Opening your home to a child from another part of the world is a profound act of love. Dr. Lombard counts it a privilege to walk a small part of that road with families, and he approaches each evaluation with warmth, honesty, and respect for the journey you are on.

Why a Psychological Evaluation May Be Required

A psychological evaluation is usually requested for one of three reasons.

The sending country requires it. Some countries include a psychologist's evaluation in the required adoption dossier. The Philippines, for example, asks for a psychological evaluation that includes standardized testing, clinical interviews of spouses separately and together, behavioral observation, and collateral information (U.S. Department of State: Philippines). Colombia requires a social and psychological study establishing the family's capacity to parent (U.S. Department of State: Colombia).

The home study preparer requests it. Federal regulations require every Hague Convention adoption home study to assess each applicant's physical, mental, and emotional health. When questions arise beyond the preparer's expertise, such as prior psychiatric care, the preparer must refer the applicant to a licensed professional, such as a clinical psychologist, for an evaluation and written report (8 CFR 204.311).

A family wants to address a question in advance. The State Department notes that mental health treatment with prescription medication is far more common in the United States than in Colombia, and that a psychological study submitted up front may help such families avoid delays (U.S. Department of State: Colombia). A past history of counseling or treatment does not by itself disqualify anyone; a clear, professional report helps put it in context.

Requirements change and vary by country and agency, so families should always confirm the current requirements with their adoption service provider.

What the Evaluation Covers

The evaluation is tailored to what your agency and the sending country require, and typically addresses:

• Current emotional and psychological functioning of each applicant.

• Personality characteristics relevant to parenting, measured with standardized instruments when required.

• Any history of counseling, treatment, or medication, and its current relevance to parenting.

• The strength and stability of the marriage or partnership, for couples.

• Motivation for adoption, expectations, and readiness to parent a child who may have experienced loss, institutional care, or trauma.

• Openness to the child's culture, language, and heritage.

• Support systems, stress management, and coping resources.

The report is written for the audience that will read it: clear, organized, and free of unnecessary jargon, since it may be translated and reviewed by officials abroad.

The Evaluation Process

1. Initial call. We confirm the sending country, your agency, and the specific requirements or report template you have been given.

2. Paperwork and records. You complete background questionnaires and, if relevant, authorize release of prior treatment records.

3. Psychological testing. Each applicant completes the standardized measures required by the country or agency.

4. Clinical interviews. Each applicant is interviewed individually, and couples are also interviewed together.

5. Collateral information, if required. Contact with your home study provider or a prior treating professional may be included.

6. Written report. The report is prepared in the required format, signed, and ready for notarization and apostille if your dossier requires them.

7. Updates. If your adoption timeline extends and an updated evaluation is needed, Dr. Lombard can provide one.

For Adoption Agencies and Home Study Providers

Dr. Lombard welcomes referrals from adoption service providers and home study preparers throughout Indiana. Agencies can expect:

• Reports prepared to your template or the sending country's required outline.

• Clear answers to the specific questions in your referral, including questions about prior mental health treatment.

• Timely communication with your caseworker, with the family's written consent.

• A report suitable for inclusion in the home study as an outside evaluation.

The psychological evaluation supplements the home study; it does not replace it. Home studies for intercountry adoption must be completed by an authorized home study preparer under federal regulations.

Standards and Professional Role

Evaluations follow the APA Ethics Code, including its standards for informed consent, assessment, and accurate reporting. Before the evaluation begins, you will know what it involves, who will receive the report, and how your information is protected.

Dr. Lombard's role is to provide an honest, objective assessment. That honesty serves families well: officials abroad place more confidence in a balanced report than in one that reads like a letter of recommendation. Dr. Lombard does not evaluate current or former therapy clients or members of his congregation, so that every report reflects an independent professional judgment.

Getting Started

When you contact the office, it helps to have ready the name of your adoption agency, the country you are adopting from, and any evaluation requirements or report template your agency has provided.

Schedule an Adoption Evaluation → Contact Us

Every adoption begins with a hope and a waiting heart. It is an honor to help families take the next faithful step toward bringing their child home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as a home study? No. A home study is completed by an authorized home study preparer, usually a licensed social worker with an adoption agency. A psychological evaluation is a separate assessment by a licensed psychologist, often included with or referenced in the home study.

Will past counseling or medication keep us from adopting? Not by itself. Many successful adoptive parents have received counseling or treatment. What matters is current functioning and how any history bears on parenting today. A clear professional report is often the best way to address that question.

Do both spouses need to be evaluated? When a country or agency requires an evaluation, it usually applies to both applicants, and some countries require joint interviews as well.

How long does it take? Most evaluations are completed within about 2 weeks of the final appointment.

How much does it cost? The fee is $700 per person. Adoption evaluations are private-pay and are not billed to insurance.

Can you help with the notarization and apostille? Dr. Lombard can sign the report before a notary as your dossier requires. The Indiana Secretary of State issues the apostille; your agency can guide you through that step.

References

• 8 CFR 204.311, Convention adoption home study requirements. eCFR

• U.S. Department of State. Philippines Intercountry Adoption Information. travel.state.gov

• U.S. Department of State. Colombia Intercountry Adoption Information. travel.state.gov

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2018). Suitability of prospective adoptive parents for intercountry adoption (Policy Memorandum PM-602-0165). uscis.gov (PDF)

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. apa.org/ethics/code