An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a companion animal that helps reduce symptoms of emotional or psychological distress. While not trained like service animals, ESAs offer meaningful therapeutic benefit for individuals managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges.
At Ascend Counseling & Wellness, we offer ESA letters through our dedicated service—ASAP ESA—designed to provide quick, responsible support. We combine clinical integrity with timely delivery, ensuring your ESA documentation is both legally sound and delivered within 1–2 business days following your clinician appointment and approval.
An ESA letter is a legally valid document issued by a licensed mental health provider that:
Verifies a qualifying emotional or psychological condition
States that an emotional support animal helps alleviate symptoms
Confirms your right to request reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)
Please note: ESA letters do not grant public access (e.g., airplanes, restaurants). Their legal use is for housing where pets are otherwise restricted.
ESA letters may be appropriate for individuals experiencing:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Panic Disorder
Adjustment disorders
OCD-related distress
Emotional instability linked to grief or trauma
Qualification is based on clinical need and ethical review, not personal preference. We do not issue letters without proper screening and confirmation.
Our process is fast, respectful, and fully aligned with clinical best practices:
Complete Required Paperwork
You’ll fill out intake documentation and a comprehensive mental health questionnaire
The questionnaire takes 25–45 minutes or more and is reviewed by a licensed clinician
15-Minute Clinician Appointment
Meet with a licensed provider to:
Review questionnaire results
Confirm clinical diagnosis
Discuss the role of your emotional support animal
This ensures both ethical standards and legal compliance
Approval & Delivery
If you qualify, your ESA letter is issued within 1–2 business days
The letter is delivered digitally (PDF), with physical copies available upon request
ESA letters are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually
At ASAP ESA, we prioritize fast, ethical service with clear expectations and transparent fees.
ESA Letter Fee – $200
Includes: intake screening, a 15-minute clinician consultation, and delivery of your ESA letter within 1–2 business days of approval.
Scheduling Deposit – $50
Required to book your clinician consultation. This deposit is non-refundable but applied to the total fee. It ensures clinician time is reserved and the process remains clinically appropriate.
Letter Validity – 12 Months
All ESA letters expire after one year. Renewals require a follow-up screening and updated clinical review.
Important Notes
Qualification is not guaranteed; letters are only issued when clinical criteria are met.
We do not offer instant or same-day approvals.
All documentation follows legal and ethical guidelines under the Fair Housing Act.
Every ASAP ESA letter includes:
Issuing clinician’s full name, license number, and credentials
A clear statement of your qualifying condition and the role of the ESA
Language aligned with FHA requirements for housing providers
Issuance date and expiration
Practice contact information on official letterhead
At Ascend Counseling & Wellness, we uphold clinical ethics and federal compliance with every ESA letter we issue. That means:
No automated or AI-generated approvals
No ESA letters issued without a clinician meeting
No misrepresentation of ESA access rights
Full documentation in line with HUD and licensing standards
We believe that emotional support is powerful—but so is ethical practice.
If you’re struggling with a mental health condition and your animal provides meaningful emotional support, an ESA letter may help protect your housing rights. ASAP ESA, offered through Ascend Counseling & Wellness, delivers legitimate, ethically issued, and legally recognized ESA letters—typically within 1–2 business days of clinical approval.
