Martha Palacio-Vallejo

I am an Expert in mental health. Graduated from Boston College with a specialization in diagnostic evaluations since 1991. I have worked in hospitals conducting intake assessments, correctional settings creating a specialized unit for adolescents with severe mental health problems, and I have had my own company for the last 13 years conducting evaluations for the federal government. As a diagnostician, I feel I am the most qualified licensed independent social worker.

Social Worker at ICE Processing Center (Immigration Customs Enforcement) (2025-01 – Present)

Mental Health Professional, subject matter expert (SME) in mental health and substance use disorder. Department Of Homeland Security Clearance

• Mental health assessments and intervention for detainees with suicidal risks and mental health problems

Lead Clinician at Deployed Services LLC (2024-11 – 2025-04)

Proving program oversight, administrative supervisor for a team of master's level counselors. Designed mental health assessment trainings. Provided leadership to enhance service delivery and optimize team performance in how to consult with complex psychological and medical problems.

• Developed and delivered specialized trainings for U.S. Border Patrol and ICE
• Trained licensed master's level counselors in diagnostic assessments and treatment planning

Independent Forensic Evaluator at Private Practice (2014-03 – Present)

Conducting advanced independent evaluations for federal immigration court (Hardship Waivers), Victims of Crimes (U Visas), or victims of trafficking (T visas), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Asylum; collaborated with Nina Rabin, Esq. from Harvard and Yale University, the Director of the Law Clinic at University of Arizona(UOA), collaborated in landmark cases; testified in immigration court as Expert Witness accepted by the Immigration Court; collaborated with the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project in landmark cases and in Special Immigrant Juvenile(SIJ) court cases conducting evaluations; challenged previous psychological evaluations conducted by licensed psychologists in Arizona; works with Spanish speaking immigrant clients. Fee for service.

Court Investigator at Massachusetts Juvenile Court (2020-01 – 2021-12)

• Conducted in-depth investigations in cases of physical and sexual abuse
• Investigated conditions affecting children, often focusing on those with developmental and mental disabilities
• Interviewed children, parents, and professionals involved in the case
• Wrote objective reports for the courts
• Made recommendations to the judge after gathering and analyzing all the facts
• Worked seven days a week

Social Services Expert at Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (2020-01 – 2020-12)

Appointed by Juvenile Court judges to work on cases of the Department of Children and Family Services. Worked as a subject matter expert in cases of child abuse.

Clinical Services Provider at Federal Reservist/Clinical (2022-01 – 2025-12)

Provided services for Spanish speaking children with Loyal Source and Deployed Services, LLC

• Conducted screenings, crisis intervention and risk assessments for Unaccompanied Minors under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Contract Administrator at Arizona Supreme Court (1996-01 – 2025-12)

Chief Executive Officer for Clinical Services Institute, LLC/contractor with ASC: Contracting with the Arizona Supreme Court Juvenile Services Division; developing and managing programs including competency restoration services, and counseling, working in border towns; implementing programs for youths to maximize the quality and the efficiency of all programs; developed standards for clinical documentation; providing administrative supervision to all Master level employees; providing in home services seven days per week with a full caseload, averaging 80 hours week

Evaluator Crisis Response at Terros Health Inc.-Rapid Response (Banner hospitals, Maricopa Medical Center, Lincoln Hospitals) (2009-09 – 2011-10)

Expert working with patients affected by serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders.

• Conducted pre-petition screenings for court order treatment for suicidal and homicidal patients
• Provided weekly testimony in mental health court
• Delivered crisis intervention utilizing motivational interviewing across six hospitals in Maricopa County and collaborated with medical staff and healthcare professionals

Psychology Associate II at Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (1995-12 – 2000-05)

Worked in juveniles with substance use disorders and in the Sex Offender Unit; provided consultation to supervisors and security in the correctional institution; volunteered during working hours to create an innovative and successful mental health system to evaluate juveniles in crisis; developed the clinical standards to convert the isolation unit into a crisis unit at Adobe Mountain School. Prevented suicides and enhanced the mental health services for AZDJC for five years; identified and classified juveniles with sex abusive behaviors, violence, and substance use problems and mental health problems; created polices and made all clinical decisions, while covering for the absent psychologist.

Clinical Supervisor at Southwest Behavioral Health Psychiatric Urgent Care (1995-01 – 1995-12)

Supervised master's-level clinicians in the psychiatric emergency center. Expert in conducting mental health assessments. Determined the need for medications for patients prior to consultation with on shift psychiatrists. Worked 3/12, total 36 hours per weekend.

Evaluator Substance Use at TASC, Inc. (Treatment, Assessment, Screening Center) (1992-09 – 1995-12)

Conducted substance use assessments for juveniles and adults referred by Maricopa County Probation Department seven days a week in an outpatient setting; conducted DUI evaluations for the city of City of Phoenix court; provided individual and group counseling services for adults and juveniles; worked seven days a week, averaging 70 hours per week.

Master's in Forensic Clinical Social Work (MSW) – Boston College

Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice Children, Youth, Families – Boston College (2021-12)

Bachelor in Psychology & Sociology

Certificate program in Substance Use