A legitimate ESA letter to qualify for an emotional support animal must be written by a healthcare professional with an active license for your state. This is required by HUD’s federal guidelines and state laws about emotional support animals. The following health professionals are qualified to write ESA letters: 

Most ESA letters are from mental health professionals like therapists and social workers. These providers are usually in a better position to review your mental health and make recommendations based on their observations. 

You can get an ESA letter from your primary care doctor, but they may not be familiar with the benefits of emotional support animals or the ESA process. A better option is to seek a mental health professional that specializes in support animal recommendations.

If you’re currently seeing a mental health professional, you can inquire about having an emotional support animal as part of your overall care plan. If you’re struggling to find a qualified mental health professional in your area, ESA Doctors can help.

If you suffer from a mental health issue and would like to qualify for an Emotional Support Animal online, we can help connect you to a licensed therapist licensed for your state in the link below.

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How to Ask For an ESA Letter

If you want an emotional support animal, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for an ESA letter. An emotional support animal can be the difference that lets you have a more joyful life. Asking a therapist for an ESA letter requires clear communication about your needs and how an ESA could benefit your mental health. Here’s some advice on how to approach this conversation:

  1. Schedule a specific appointment: “I’d like to schedule an appointment to discuss the possibility of getting an emotional support animal letter.”
  2. Explain your mental health challenges: “I’ve been struggling with (anxiety/depression/PTSD), and I believe an emotional support animal could help lessen my symptoms.”
  3. Describe how an ESA could help: “Having an animal companion could help me feel calmer during anxiety attacks” or “A dog could motivate me to maintain a routine and get out of bed on difficult days.”
  4. Be direct about your request: “Can you write an ESA letter for me? It would allow me to more easily find housing for my animal.”
  5. Be open to alternatives: There are many reasons a therapist won’t write you an ESA letter. If that happens, you can try ESA Doctors. They work with friendly, compassionate professionals who conduct non-judgmental ESA evaluations and can write legal ESA letters.

Remember, it’s important to be direct and honest about your needs. If your existing therapist can’t help you, don’t give up — give ESA Doctors a try.

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A therapist discussing ESAs with a patient in a telehealth session.
Before a LMHP can write an ESA Letter they may discuss your medial history with you.

Who Cannot Write an ESA Letter?

Not all licensed health professionals can write ESA letters. Here list a list of providers that won’t be able to write an ESA letter for you:

  • Pharmacists
  • Massage therapists
  • Acupuncturists 
  • Veterinarians
  • Nutritionists 
  • Chiropractors 
  • Naturopaths
  • Physical therapists
  • Personal trainers and coaches
  • Medical lab technicians 

Connect with a licensed professional in your state to see if you qualify for an ESA letter today.

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