Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Assessment
An ESA assessment evaluates whether an emotional or mental health condition qualifies you for an emotional support animal—providing documentation when clinically appropriate.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) can offer therapeutic comfort to individuals coping with mental health conditions like anxiety, trauma, or depression. At Autonomy Counseling, ESA assessments are available only to established clients, meaning you must complete at least 2–3 sessions before we can determine eligibility and provide documentation.
This approach allows your provider to gain a thorough understanding of your mental health history, current challenges, and overall clinical presentation. This foundation ensures that any recommendation—such as the prescription of an ESA—is made thoughtfully, ethically, and in alignment with your individual care needs.
The ESA assessment includes a comprehensive review of your mental health through one-on-one sessions with your provider. If appropriate, a formal letter may be issued directly to a third-party recipient such as a landlord, university, or employer. Please note that ESAs are not required to have specialized training and must demonstrate safe, appropriate behavior with no history of aggression.
Who's It For?
This assessment may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety or panic attacks
Depressive symptoms
Other emotional or mental health challenges impacting daily functioning
What Will It Cost?
ESA Assessment Package (self-pay): $399
Includes two sessions, review of materials, and a formal ESA letter (if appropriate)Letter Update (e.g., new landlord or airline): $99
Insurance may cover the assessment process. Clients are encouraged to verify coverage directly with their insurance provider.
How Do I Get Started?
Call or email us to request the ESA package with your full name, date of birth, phone number, and whether you’ll use insurance or self-pay. This helps us set up your client chart.
We’ll send a secure link to register with our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system—our client portal.
Upload your medical history, mental health records, and animal documentation through the portal.
Schedule your sessions by phone, email, or through the portal.
FAQs
Q: Can anyone request an ESA letter?
ESA letters are only available to established clients who have completed at least 2–3 sessions.
Q: Am I guaranteed an ESA letter following the assessment?
No. A letter of recommendation for ESA is not guaranteed for everyone. It will only be written to those in need, based on the assessment.
Q: Do you evaluate the animal?
No. We assess the client’s mental health needs—not the animal’s behavior or temperament. That being said, the animal must not have a bite history or aggression issues.
Q: Is my ESA letter permanent?
Most third parties require a letter dated within the last 6–12 months. You may need to request an updated letter when applying to new housing, airlines, etc.
Q: Do you work with universities?
Yes. Many colleges require documentation specific to their campus policies. We are happy to complete institutional forms when clinically appropriate.
Q: What conditions might qualify?
Conditions include—but are not limited to—anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, fear of flying, phobias, and compulsive behaviors.