Emotional support animals can be life-changing for individuals living with anxiety, trauma, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. At Embody Therapy & EMDR, our licensed mental health counselors provide thorough, ethical ESA evaluations and letters for Florida residents who may benefit from an emotional support animal as part of their mental health treatment.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a formal document written by a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a diagnosed mental health condition and that an emotional support animal is a recommended part of your treatment. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to have specific task training — their presence and companionship itself provides therapeutic benefit.
An ESA letter may allow you to:
A licensed therapist's written documentation of your mental health need.
Request accommodation for your ESA in housing that otherwise restricts pets
Communicate your mental health needs to landlords under the Fair Housing Act
Our ESA Evaluation Process
Ethical, thorough, and judgment-free.
We do not provide ESA letters without a proper clinical evaluation. Our process ensures that your letter is legitimate, defensible, and issued in accordance with Florida licensure standards and ethical guidelines.
1
Step One
Schedule a consultation
2
Step Two
Complete a clinical intake and mental health evaluation with one of our licensed therapists
3
Step Three
If clinically appropriate, receive your ESA letter, typically within a few business days
The People Behind Your Care
Licensed, compassionate, and genuinely invested in your healing.
At Embody Therapy & EMDR, you're never just a client on a caseload. Our team of licensed therapists brings clinical expertise, lived awareness, and a deep commitment to showing up fully for every person who walks through our door — or logs on from home. Each therapist has a unique background and specialty, and together we cover a wide range of needs so you can find the right fit for where you are right now.
Looking for Ongoing Therapeutic Support?
An ESA letter is just one of the ways we can show up for you.
For many clients, an ESA evaluation is the first step through our doors — and we're glad it brought you here. But if you're living with anxiety, trauma, depression, or another mental health condition that led you to seek an ESA, you may also benefit from ongoing therapy with one of our licensed clinicians. Healing the root of what you're carrying is possible, and we'd love to be part of that journey with you.
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Individual Psychotherapy — One-on-one counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and more. A natural next step after your ESA evaluation.
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EMDR Therapy — If your mental health challenges are rooted in trauma or past experiences, EMDR offers a deeper level of healing that talk therapy alone may not reach.
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Intuitive Eating Counseling — For clients whose mental health is intertwined with their relationship with food, body image, or self-worth.
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DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) — Skills-based therapy for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and building a life that feels more manageable day to day.
"EmbodyTherapy feels like a safe haven—supportive, genuine, and truly life-changing."
FAQs
Does my ESA need any special training?
No. Unlike psychiatric service animals, emotional support animals are not required to have specific task training. Their therapeutic benefit comes from their companionship and presence. Any species of animal can qualify as an ESA, though your therapist may note the specific animal in your letter.
Does my ESA need any special training?
No. Unlike psychiatric service animals, emotional support animals are not required to have specific task training. Their therapeutic benefit comes from their companionship and presence. Any species of animal can qualify as an ESA, though your therapist may note the specific animal in your letter.
How much does an ESA letter cost and does insurance cover it?
Our ESA evaluation and letter is $125 and is a private pay service — insurance does not typically cover ESA evaluations. Payment is due at the time of the evaluation appointment.
What qualifies someone for an ESA letter?
To qualify for an ESA letter, you must have a diagnosed mental health condition — such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder, or a related condition — and a licensed mental health professional must determine that an emotional support animal is a recommended part of your treatment. Our therapists make this determination through a proper clinical evaluation, not a questionnaire.
Can I get an ESA letter on the same day as my evaluation?
In most cases, letters are issued within a few business days of your evaluation — not the same day. This is by design. A legitimate ESA letter requires a clinical assessment, not a rubber stamp. We take this process seriously to ensure your letter is ethical, defensible, and reflective of a genuine therapeutic relationship.
Are online ESA letters legitimate?
Many online ESA letter services are not. Letters issued without a proper clinical evaluation by a licensed therapist in your state may not be accepted by landlords and are not considered ethically sound by professional licensing boards. At Embody Therapy, all ESA evaluations are conducted by Florida-licensed mental health counselors following professional and ethical guidelines.
Where can I use my ESA letter?
ESA letters are primarily used to request housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act, which requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals — even in buildings with no-pet policies, and typically without an additional pet fee. Please note that current DOT regulations no longer require airlines to accommodate ESAs in the cabin, so our letters are intended for housing purposes.
Get in Touch With Embody Therapy & EMDR
Cape Coral, FL (Serving all of Florida via telehealth)
Follow us on Instagram: @courtneylmhc
Accepting: Aetna | United Health |
Private Pay Offering: In-Person & Online Therapy
(239) 285-5883
1406 Southeast 46th Lane
Suite 5
Cape Coral, Florida 33904