Heather is a compassionate therapist with extensive expertise in assessing whether her clients may benefit from an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) as part of their ongoing mental health treatment.

ESA Specialist

Heather Hunter, LPC

ESA Process & Requirements

A comprehensive evaluation by your established licensed mental health professional (LMHP) is necessary to determine ESA eligibility as part of your ongoing treatment, as many landlords require proper documentation.

Before an ESA approval, you must establish a relationship with a LMHP. Establishing a relationship with a LMHP ensures that the LMHP has a clear understanding of your mental health needs and can accurately assess whether an ESA is appropriate for your condition. A legitimate ESA letter must come from your established LMHP who has evaluated your mental health and determined that an ESA is part of your ongoing treatment plan.

If you are not currently working with a provider, you can connect with Kaleidoscope Counseling by filling out a New Client Form.

*Disclaimer: To qualify for an ESA letter, you must have a diagnosed mental health condition recognized by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Without a valid DSM diagnosis, you will not be eligible for an ESA letter.

ESA Benefits

ESAs provide valuable assistance to clients with various mental health conditions. Common diagnoses could include:

ADHD / Anxiety / Depression / Panic Disorders / PTSD / etc.

Your ESA could be* protected under federal law if you qualify through your licensed mental health professional (LMHP).

*Please view the following link for specifics on ESA protections and limitations.

For more details, visit our FAQ: Emotional Support Animal Program section.