What is an ESA letter?

Your pet is not just a pet — and this letter proves it

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter is a formal document written by a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a diagnosed mental health condition and that your animal provides therapeutic support that alleviates symptoms of that condition.

A legitimate ESA letter can:

  • Allow your ESA to live with you in housing that otherwise has a no-pets policy under the Fair Housing Act
  • Protect you from pet deposits or pet fees in many housing situations
  • Provide documentation for housing accommodation requests

⚠ Important: ESA letters are not the same as service animal certifications

ESA letters apply to housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act. They do not grant access to public places, restaurants, or stores. Airlines are not required to accommodate ESAs under current federal rules. Dr. Cleve will explain exactly what your letter covers during your evaluation.

Why it matters who writes your letter

The internet is full of fake ESA letters. Here is the difference.

Many websites sell ESA letters for $30-$100 with no real evaluation — just a questionnaire and an automatic approval. These letters are not legitimate and landlords are increasingly rejecting them.

A valid ESA letter must come from a licensed mental health professional who has actually evaluated you and determined that an emotional support animal is clinically appropriate for your diagnosed condition. That is exactly what Dr. Cleve provides — a thorough clinical evaluation followed by a letter written on his professional letterhead, with his license number included.

Dr. Cleve does not write ESA letters for everyone who requests one. He only issues letters when he determines they are clinically justified. This is what makes his letters credible and defensible.

The process

How it works — start to finish

  • 1

    Book your ESA evaluation

    Schedule a telehealth appointment through SimplePractice. You must be physically located in Texas or New Mexico at the time of your session. The $150 flat fee covers the full evaluation and the letter if approved.

  • 2

    Complete your clinical evaluation

    Dr. Cleve will conduct a thorough clinical interview to understand your mental health history, current symptoms, and how your animal provides therapeutic support. This is a real evaluation — not a rubber stamp.

  • 3

    Receive your letter

    If Dr. Cleve determines an ESA letter is clinically appropriate, you will receive a professionally written letter on Robinson House letterhead, signed by Dr. Cleve, including his license number and contact information. Typically delivered same day or within 24 hours.

  • 4

    Use your letter with confidence

    Your letter is written by a licensed professional and will hold up to scrutiny from landlords and housing providers. Dr. Cleve is available to verify the letter authenticity if contacted.

Common questions

ESA letter FAQ

No. You do not need to be an existing client of Robinson House. Dr. Cleve can conduct an ESA evaluation as a standalone appointment for new clients in Texas or New Mexico.
ESA letters are appropriate for individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, phobias, and other conditions where an emotional support animal demonstrably helps manage symptoms. Dr. Cleve will determine clinical appropriateness during your evaluation.
ESA letters are typically valid for one year. Many housing providers require an annual renewal. Dr. Cleve can provide renewals for returning clients at the same flat rate.
Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with documented disabilities, which includes allowing ESAs. If a landlord refuses a legitimate ESA letter, they may be in violation of fair housing law. Dr. Cleve's letter includes his license information and contact details to assist with any verification requests.
The $150 fee covers the clinical evaluation time regardless of the outcome. If Dr. Cleve determines an ESA letter is not clinically appropriate for your situation, the fee for the evaluation session applies but no letter will be issued. This is consistent with standard clinical practice.
At this time Dr. Cleve offers ESA evaluations only to clients physically located in Texas or New Mexico. If you are in another state, please reach out and he can refer you to a qualified provider.