What Is an ESA Letter?
An Emotional Support Animal letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a qualifying mental health condition and that an emotional support animal is part of your treatment plan. Under federal law, an ESA letter can protect your right to live with your animal in housing that otherwise restricts pets.
An ESA is not a service animal. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks. Emotional support animals provide comfort and stability through companionship. Dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals can qualify.
How We Evaluate ESA Requests
We do this the right way. An ESA letter requires a legitimate psychiatric evaluation. We assess your mental health history, current symptoms, and whether an emotional support animal would meaningfully help your condition. Common qualifying conditions include anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, and phobias.
We do not hand out letters without an evaluation. Online ESA mills that charge $99 for a letter from a provider who never talks to you are not legitimate. We are a licensed psychiatry practice, and every letter we write is backed by a real clinical relationship.
If you qualify, we can often provide the letter at your first visit. If you do not qualify, we will tell you honestly and discuss other treatment options.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your evaluation takes about 45 minutes. We discuss your mental health symptoms, history, and how an emotional support animal fits into your treatment. Bring a photo ID and your insurance card. If you have records from a previous provider, bring those too.
Insurance and Payment
The psychiatric evaluation is typically covered by insurance. We accept Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Nevada Medicaid (SilverSummit, Anthem Medicaid). The ESA letter itself may have an additional fee. Cash pay is available.
When to Get an ESA Letter
If your animal genuinely helps you manage a mental health condition -- not just as a pet, but as part of what keeps you stable -- an ESA letter may be appropriate. If your landlord is threatening to remove your animal or charge extra fees, a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed provider is your protection. Get evaluated. We will give you a straight answer.