ESA Evaluations
That Therapy provides professional Emotional Support Animal evaluations for individuals who believe an animal plays a meaningful role in supporting their mental health.
This is a clinical evaluation process — not an online certificate or guaranteed letter. We'll take time to understand your mental health needs, your circumstances, and the role an animal may play in supporting your functioning and well-being.
Documentation is only issued when, after completing the clinical evaluation, it is determined to be professionally and clinically appropriate.
What is an ESA evaluation?
An Emotional Support Animal evaluation is a clinical assessment that explores whether a person has a mental health-related need for the support provided by an animal.
When clinically appropriate, documentation may be provided to support a request for a reasonable housing accommodation involving an assistance animal.
The purpose of the evaluation is not simply to complete paperwork. It is to develop enough clinical understanding to determine whether documentation can be responsibly supported.
- Individualized mental health evaluation
- Exploration of symptoms, functioning, and clinical history
- Assessment of the relationship between your mental health needs and the support an animal provides
- Professional documentation when clinically appropriate
A thoughtful two-session evaluation.
Rather than issuing documentation after a quick questionnaire, the evaluation is completed across two clinical sessions.
Intake & Mental Health Evaluation
We'll discuss your mental health history, current concerns, symptoms, daily functioning, treatment history when relevant, and what has led you to seek an ESA evaluation.
Continued Clinical Assessment
We'll continue the assessment, clarify any remaining clinical information, explore the role the animal provides or is expected to provide, and review the outcome of the evaluation.
What we'll explore together.
Every evaluation is individualized. The goal is to understand your situation rather than simply check boxes on a form.
Mental Health
Your current concerns, symptoms, history, and other relevant mental health information.
Daily Functioning
How your mental health affects important areas of everyday life and functioning.
Role of the Animal
The specific emotional or therapeutic support the animal provides or is expected to provide.
Clinical Relationship
Time to establish a genuine professional understanding of your needs rather than relying solely on an online questionnaire.
Clinical Appropriateness
Whether ESA-related documentation can be ethically and professionally supported based on the evaluation.
Next Steps
You'll receive an outcome and guidance about the appropriate next step once the evaluation has been completed.
What happens next?
Completing an evaluation does not automatically mean that documentation will be issued.
If Documentation Is Clinically Appropriate
You will receive professional documentation reflecting the clinical findings and, when appropriate, supporting your request for a housing accommodation involving an emotional support animal.
If Documentation Is Not Appropriate
You will be informed of the outcome. When helpful, we can also discuss other treatment options, resources, or referrals that may better fit your situation.
ESA documentation is primarily about housing.
Emotional support animals are different from service animals. ESA-related documentation may be relevant when requesting a reasonable accommodation from a housing provider.
An ESA letter does not automatically provide an animal with the same public-access rights as a trained service animal in places such as restaurants, stores, or other public establishments.
Housing providers make accommodation decisions based on applicable laws and the circumstances of the request. That Therapy cannot guarantee that any particular housing provider will approve a request.
A note about online ESA certificates
This service is intentionally different from websites that sell instant registrations, certificates, identification cards, or letters after only a brief questionnaire.
The purpose of our two-session process is to develop genuine clinical knowledge of the person requesting documentation before making a professional determination.
ESA Evaluation FAQ
Do I need to already own an animal?
No. You do not necessarily need to currently own the animal before participating in an evaluation.
The assessment can explore the mental health-related need for emotional support and the role an animal is expected to provide.
Is an ESA letter guaranteed after I pay for the evaluation?
No. Your payment covers the professional evaluation process, not a guaranteed outcome.
Documentation is issued only when the clinical findings support it and the provider determines that doing so is professionally appropriate.
Can I use an ESA letter to bring my animal everywhere?
No. Emotional support animals do not automatically have the same public-access rights as trained service animals.
ESA-related documentation is primarily used in connection with housing accommodation requests.
Do I need a new letter every year?
Not necessarily. ESA documentation does not automatically expire after one year.
However, if your housing provider asks for updated documentation, or if a significant amount of time has passed since your original evaluation, a brief follow-up may be needed to make sure your information and clinical needs are still current.If you previously completed an ESA evaluation through That Therapy, reach out and we can let you know what would be needed for updated documentation.
Can the evaluation be completed virtually?
Virtual appointments may be available when clinically and professionally appropriate and when the client is located in a jurisdiction where services can legally be provided.
Who completes the evaluation?
Evaluations are completed through That Therapy by Emmanuel Cuffee, Associate Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor.
Clinical work is completed with ongoing professional supervision
Start your ESA evaluation.
The first step is a clinical intake where we'll learn more about your situation, mental health needs, and why you're seeking Emotional Support Animal documentation.
Schedule Your First ESA Session — $100 →