ESA letters for housing in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Your dog knows when you’re fidgeting and breathing funny, that you’re anxious about calling out of work.
Your cat appears in your lap when your shoulders climb toward your ears, after that stressful interaction with a friend.
The animal is doing real nervous system work for you, supporting your mind and body as you settle into right here and now.
What an ESA letter actually is
An ESA letter is a document from a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a qualifying mental health condition and that your animal provides therapeutic support.
Under the federal Fair Housing Act, a valid letter requires housing providers to accommodate your animal in no-pets buildings and waive pet deposits.
It does not give your animal public access (that's a service animal). It does not work for airlines (the DOT changed that rule in 2021). It works for housing.
CHANGE THIS
Who this is for
You're a good fit if:
You live in Pennsylvania or New Jersey
You have a mental health condition that meaningfully impacts daily life (anxiety, depression, PTSD, panic disorder)
Your animal genuinely helps regulate or ground you, and you can demonstrate so
You want a real clinical relationship, not a five-minute online checkbox once a year
New clients are welcome. If you're already on my caseload for therapy, we fold the assessment into your ongoing work.
The process
Two sessions for new clients. $200 per session, $400 in total.
Session one is the intake. We cover your history, current symptoms, what your animal does for you, and whether an ESA letter is appropriate. Clinical assessment. All business.
Session two is the follow-up. If you qualify, I will write the letter and walk you through how to use it with your landlord. If you don't, I tell you straight and we talk through options that might actually fit.
Two sessions, that’s it. It's how I build enough of a clinical picture to write a real letter that has your back. It’s enough of a relationship that renewal or your pet’s death isn't starting over with a stranger.
Letters are valid for one year.
Pricing
New ESA assessment: Two sessions at $200 each. $400 total.
Renewal: One session at $200.
Current coaching clients: Same two-session structure under the therapist hat.
Current therapy clients: Folded into ongoing work.
Private pay only. Insurance does not cover ESA assessments.
What this isn't
The ESA space is full of mills handing out letters to anyone with a credit card and a Wi-Fi connection. This is not that.
If you're looking for a workaround to get a pet into a no-pets apartment and the animal isn't doing real support work, I can’t help you. I assess the clinical picture. If it isn't there, I won't write the letter.
The fees cover the assessment, not a guaranteed outcome. I tell you that on the front end so there are no surprises on the back end. If you qualify, you get a letter that holds up because a licensed therapist actually evaluated you and supports your mental health.
FAQs
How long does the whole process take? One to two weeks from intake to letter, depending on scheduling.
Will this work for my apartment, co-op, or HOA? The Fair Housing Act covers most housing in PA and NJ. There are narrow exceptions (owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, certain religious organizations). We'll walk through your specific situation in session one.
What if my landlord pushes back? We talk through it in session two. Landlords sometimes ask for more documentation or push back on what's allowed. I'll tell you what's a legitimate request and what crosses the line.
Can I get a letter for my partner's or family member's animal? No. The letter is specific to the relationship between you and your animal.
Ready to get started?
Getting an ESA letter is easy when your pet is already doing the work and you’re benefitting from the connection.
If you think we’d be a good fit for online therapy or coaching, I’d love to chat. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about the services and process.
Learn more about online therapy or coaching isn’t the right fit
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