Emotional support animals (ESAs) are a vital part of many people's lives, providing considerable help and alleviating a lot of paralyzing mental ailments that individuals may suffer from. The Lone Star State is no stranger to emotional support animals, and this alternative form of therapy has provided sincere help to residents through companionship and affection.
Unfortunately, there is a bit more that goes into getting an ESA than simply declaring that your golden retriever is now a federally recognized treatment option.
For those with an interest in emotional support animals, you have stumbled upon the right article. We will be covering what goes into getting an ESA certification in Texas, what to look out for, and how emotional support animals are legally protected in the Lone Star State.
How to Get an ESA Certification Texas
While it is not technically incorrect to say that an emotional support animal is going to need a certification, the document is commonly known as an “ESA letter.” Emotional support animal letters certify that you have been approved by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) and that the animal in question is not strictly a pet.
In the state of Texas, licensed mental health professionals will need to be licensed to practice within the state. This means that if you have an ESA letter from an LMHP outside of the state or with suspect credentials, your ESA letter will be essentially worthless. It is incredibly important that you rely on a trusted website or business, like EmotionalSupportAnimal.com, if you decide to go digital.
Speaking of, there are several types of fraudulent documents that scammers will try to sell to unknowledgeable owners. A good example of this is any site offering “ESA certificates” or “certifications,” which are not going to give you the benefits of the Fair Housing Act, but will cost a pretty penny regardless.
You should always be looking for an ESA Letter, and never be afraid to research the credentials of any medical professional who agrees to provide you with an ESA letter, particularly online.
Just because the mental health professional is legitimate does not mean they will always approve an ESA letter for you. If the LMHP feels that an emotional support animal would not provide relief, they may reject the idea. If this happens, it is perfectly reasonable to get a second opinion from another individual licensed to practice in the State of Texas.
What Mental Ailments Qualify for an ESA
While most professionals will not have a checklist of what health issues qualify a person for an ESA, there are a few commonly accepted conditions that are typically compatible.
The following are the most typical conditions that qualify you for an ESA:
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Several phobias
- Panic disorder
Bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive and exclusive list of the only acceptable conditions, but a general idea of what falls under the emotional support animal umbrella. If you find that you do not qualify for any of the above but feel that you could benefit from an ESA, reach out to an LMHP in your state and discuss some of the options available to you.
Summary of ESA Certifications Texas
An ESA certification is not a legitimate document, but an ESA letter is. To get an ESA letter, reach out to a licensed mental health provider either online or in person and discuss the possibility of getting an animal certified for emotional support. LMHPs are not required to approve an ESA letter and may reject it.
One medical professional rejecting you does not mean they all will, and a second opinion may improve your odds of getting an ESA letter if you don’t get approved at first.
Scams do exist throughout the internet and infrequently in person, and those shopping around should be cautious and careful with whom they select to get an ESA letter from. Like everything in life, it can be hugely beneficial to do a small amount of research before choosing a licensed mental health professional or a business that specializes in giving ESA letters.
