Clinical Team

 Dr. Lawrence O. Fianko, DSW, LCSW, is the Founder and CEO of Limelight Recovery Foundation. As a Ghanaian American scholar-practitioner, he brings over a decade of experience in clinical practice, program development, and leadership. His work reflects a deep commitment to equity and access, with a specialized focus on providing immigration psychological evaluations that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and legally defensible.

Dr. Fianko conducts evaluations for extreme hardship, asylum, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, and cancellation of removal cases, ensuring that each report meets USCIS standards while honoring the dignity of every client’s story. He collaborates closely with immigration attorneys nationwide, preparing reports that are both clinically thorough and impactful in legal proceedings.

Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of the immigrant community, Dr. Fianko ensures accessibility through certified interpreters in more than 240 languages, including ASL. His evaluations are known for their clarity, reliability, and compassion, often playing a decisive role in helping individuals and families navigate the uncertainty of the immigration process.

Through his leadership at Limelight Recovery Foundation, Dr. Fianko continues to advance a mission of advocacy, healing, and justice — supporting immigrants in their pursuit of safety, stability, and opportunity.

Dr. Calvin J. Pouncy, DSW, Ed.S., ACSW, is a seasoned forensic evaluator with more than 15 years of specialized clinical experience. He delivers trauma-informed immigration evaluations that are comprehensive, culturally responsive, and legally defensible. His expertise covers hardship assessments, I-601 waivers, N-648 waivers, U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA petitions, and asylum applications.

Dr. Pouncy’s clinical expertise covers trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism, with extensive experience working across age groups, cultural backgrounds, and gender identities. He specializes in neuropsychological and psychological assessments for adults, including those with autism and ADHD, and has worked with children, adolescents, and adults facing complex behavioral and relational challenges.

Each evaluation is carefully tailored to the unique circumstances of the case and delivered with cultural humility, respect, and clinical precision. All services are fully HIPAA-compliant and align with ADA and ACA Section 1557 requirements. 

To ensure accuracy and accessibility, certified medical interpreters are available in more than 240 spoken languages, including ASL and other sign languages. Dr. Pouncy’s approach guarantees that every client is heard and understood, while producing evaluations attorneys can rely on with confidence in legal proceedings.

Attorneys respect his professionalism and attention to detail, while clients appreciate his compassion and ability to respond to diverse cultural needs.

 Dr. Grover E. Smith, Ed.D., MSW, ACSW , is a highly skilled clinician with over 25 years of experience in clinical and forensic services. He holds a doctorate in education, an MSW, and an MBA and is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). Dr. Smith specializes in providing evidence-based, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions and psychological assessments for a wide range of clinical and legal needs.

Dr. Smith’s expertise spans cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children, adolescents, and adults, with a focus on emotional regulation, coping strategies, and improving mental health outcomes. He also provides behavioral interventions and social skills training to enhance interpersonal and adaptive functioning. His psychoeducational testing and assessments address learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and intellectual disabilities, while his neuropsychological and psychological evaluations cover traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In addition, Dr. Smith conducts fitness for duty, parental fitness, and guardianship evaluations for legal and organizational settings. He also offers specialized immigration-related psychological assessments for asylum cases, citizenship applications, U-Visas, T-Visas, VAWA petitions, and other legal documentation needs.

Dr. Smith’s practice is grounded in accuracy, integrity, and cultural competence. His assessments are not only thorough but also legally defensible, providing attorneys with the precise information needed to support their clients. At the same time, his compassionate, client-centered approach ensures that every individual feels heard and respected throughout the evaluation process.