BetterHelp has quickly become one of the most popular online therapy platforms in the world. In fact, if you’ve ever watched a YouTube video, there’s a good chance you’ve seen an ad or sponsorship that promotes the service.

While it’s great that people can access online mental health therapy across the country remotely, the platform does have its limits. So, if you came here asking, “can BetterHelp therapists write ESA letters?” stick around to find out everything you need to know.

BetterHelp Explained

BetterHelp is a telehealth service that connects people with licensed mental health professionals remotely. The result? Remote access to individual, teen, and couples therapy on any smart device or computer.

Costs also tend to be lower than seeing a therapist in person, especially if you don’t have insurance. There are also education sections, forums, and other unique benefits that come with the platform.

BetterHelp was founded in 2013 and continues to be one of the leaders in the industry. It’s also one of the few online platforms that connects people with experienced psychologists, clinical social workers, and other types of professional counselors.

Ultimately, there’s a little something for everyone on the platform, and this is why it has become one of the largest online providers of telehealth in the United States.

ESA Letters Explained

An emotional support animal (ESA) letter is a signed document from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP). The LMHP must be licensed in your state, and the letter must outline your condition, how an animal helps with your condition, and additional details about yourself and your support animal.

Without an ESA letter, you won’t have protections from the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This means that landlords can charge pet fees and have you evicted. However, if you have a legitimate ESA letter, you won’t have any issues.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is the animal that the letter is written for. An emotional support animal can be any type of animal that’s a pet; the most common examples are cats, dogs, fish, and hamsters. Unlike a service animal, ESAs are still considered pets, but they’re protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Therefore, they’re allowed to live with you in apartments that aren’t usually pet-friendly. You also don’t have to pay any pet fees for ESAs as long as they’re well-behaved.

Can BetterHelp Therapists Write ESA Letters?

No, BetterHelp therapists aren’t usually permitted to write an ESA letter for their patients on the platform. This is due to the telehealth nature of the platform. Although telehealth is a perfectly valid way to get an ESA letter, BetterHelp doesn’t want it to be their main focus.

Instead, you need to work with a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) who’s licensed in your state. This can be a therapist, sure, and you may be able to connect with one through BetterHelp, but this is not their main service or purpose.

Who Can Write an ESA Letter?

Only LMHPs can write ESA letters. What’s more, the LMHP needs to be licensed in your state. If they’re not, the bad news is that your ESA letter won’t be valid. While you can work with a LMHP if you have one already, this isn’t always an option for everyone. Plus, it can be expensive without insurance.

Fortunately, this is where US Service Animals comes into play. US Service Animals is an online telehealth platform that helps you connect with LMHPs in your state over the phone. The platform is also host to one of the largest ESA databases in the country and offers additional verification methods and benefits for your ESA.

Can BetterHelp Therapists Write ESA Letters? The Final Verdict

Overall, no, BetterHelp therapists can’t write ESA letters. This is due to the fact that BetterHelp is strict with how their therapists handle interactions on the platform. Now, this doesn’t mean that BetterHelp therapists can’t write you an ESA letter if you work with them off the platform.

So, can BetterHelp therapists write ESA letters? Well, technically they’re able to do so – with the right licensing. However, whether or not they can write you an ESA letter depends on the circumstances.

For these reasons, we always recommend starting with US Service Animals for the best results.