For some people, an animal is part of how they stay well. If you have a mental health condition and an animal that supports it, I can assess whether an emotional support animal (ESA) or psychiatric service dog (PSD) letter is appropriate for you, as part of a real clinical relationship.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters
An ESA letter documents that you have a qualifying mental health condition and that your animal provides meaningful support for it. It most often matters for housing.
Under California law, I can only write an ESA letter after we have an established clinical relationship of at least 30 days and after a genuine evaluation of your needs. It is not something I can sign on a first visit.
Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letters
A psychiatric service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks for a psychiatric disability. This is different from an emotional support animal.
One important requirement: your dog must already have completed the individually tailored task-training and certification for your disability before I write the letter. My letter does not train, certify, or register your dog.
The letter confirms one thing only: that you, the person, have a qualifying psychiatric disability under the ADA and the DSM-5. The task-training and certification come from you and your trainer, not from me.
Payment & insurance
All care is private-pay. La Concordia Wellness Center does not accept insurance, so sessions and letter fees are paid out of pocket.
Whether a letter is appropriate is a clinical decision made together, based on assessment. A consultation is the place to start.