What is an ESA Letter?
An Emotional Support Animal letter is documentation from a licensed mental health professional confirming that your animal provides therapeutic benefit for a diagnosed mental health condition. Under the Fair Housing Act, this documentation requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations -- even in properties with no-pet policies.
ESA letters are different from service animal registration. There is no official registry. What matters is a legitimate letter from a licensed provider who has conducted a proper clinical evaluation.
Our ESA Evaluation Process
Every ESA evaluation at our practice involves a genuine psychiatric assessment. We evaluate whether you have a qualifying condition -- anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another diagnosed disorder -- and whether an emotional support animal is clinically appropriate as part of your treatment plan. We do not issue letters without meeting this standard.
For existing patients with established diagnoses, the process is efficient. New patients complete their ESA evaluation as part of their initial psychiatric assessment.
What to Expect
New patient evaluations take about 45-60 minutes. We review your mental health history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. If you meet clinical criteria, your letter is typically available within a few business days.
Insurance and Payment
The psychiatric evaluation component may be covered by insurance. The ESA documentation itself carries a separate fee not covered by insurance. We provide full cost transparency before scheduling.
Protecting Yourself
Online services offering instant ESA letters without a real evaluation are a risk. Charlotte landlords and property management companies are increasingly scrutinizing ESA documentation. Letters from our practice include proper clinical documentation from North Carolina-licensed providers and meet all federal and state standards.