ESA Evaluation

If you're interested in booking an emotional support animal (ESA) evaluation, please fill out this form and I will reach out to you to book.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Evaluations

  • An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is a dog or cat that provides comfort and emotional support related to a mental health condition or disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks and do not have public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

  • Technically, we are evaluating you, not the animal. If you meet the clinical criteria for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), you will be approved for a dog or cat of your choosing rather than a specific animal. At Deconstruction Counseling, we currently provide ESA evaluations and letters for dogs and cats only.

  • The evaluation consists of a comprehensive clinical assessment to determine whether an Emotional Support Animal is clinically appropriate for your situation. We will discuss your mental health history, current symptoms, functioning, and the role your animal plays in your emotional well-being.

  • The evaluation is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

  • Yes! Evaluations are available either through secure telehealth or in person at the Deconstruction Counseling office, located in the Hope Roots Collective building. If you are evaluated via telehealth, you must be located in the state of Kansas at the time of the evaluation.

  • The fee for the evaluation is $300. Payment is due at the time of service.

  • Yes. If the evaluation supports an ESA recommendation, you will leave the appointment with a completed ESA letter in PDF format that can be shared with landlords, housing providers, or other relevant parties.

  • No. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether an ESA recommendation is clinically appropriate. An ESA letter can only be provided when supported by the clinical findings of the assessment. Essentially, the evaluating clinician needs to see that having a dog or cat will positively impact your mental health, and that you are capable of caring for a pet.

  • No. Emotional Support Animals do not have the same public access rights as service animals. An ESA letter is generally used to request reasonable accommodations in housing situations.

  • ESA evaluations are not considered medically necessary psychotherapy services and are typically not covered by insurance. Payment is self-pay only.

  • Individuals living in Kansas or the Kansas City metro area may schedule an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) evaluation with Deconstruction Counseling for a dog or cat. In-person appointments are available at the office, and telehealth clients must be physically located in Kansas at the time of the evaluation.