Florida Emotional Support Animals
In Florida, to live with an emotional support animal in "no pets" housing or to fly on the airlines with an emotional support animal on your lap, you must obtain an ESA letter signed by a licensed and qualified mental health professional.
At MindWorx Counseling, we offer ESA letters for established patients as well as support and education about the ESA Laws and processes in Florida.
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) may assist an individual by decreasing emotional symptoms and aid in coping, thereby improving an individual's overall functioning and well-being. The animal is not required to undergo any special training, or get ESA certified or registered, unlike a service or therapy animal. Another way an ESA is different from a service animal is that federal law only applies to an ESA when it concerns housing accommodations and/or airline travel.
*ESA evaluation assessments are available for anyone in the state of Florida via video/tele-health.
Please note, for FL residence, the new legislation requires individuals with a disability or a disability-related need for an assistance animal/ESA to be under the current care of a licensed practitioner.
The Process of Obtaining an ESA Letter:
ESA Evaluation: During the evaluation session, patients will meet either in-person, or virtually (video). A thorough diagnostic interview will be conducted to assess the patients’ current psychological symptoms, challenges, and needs. During the initial evaluation process, it will be determined if the patient meets criteria for a mental health related disability (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc.) as defined by the DSM-V as well as how an ESA may mitigate their symptoms and improve functioning.
Receive your ESA letter: If the patient meets criteria for a qualifying diagnosis, a treatment plan will be developed centering around the ESA. After the evaluation process is complete, they will be provided with an ESA letter prescribing an emotional support animal to present to the appropriate airline and/or homeowners /condo association.
If you are interested to learn more about the ESA evaluation process or would like a consult, please contact us!