'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time . . . Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
Our Why:
Have you been to therapy before, but felt like something may have been missing? There are many systemic reasons why adolescents and adults with ADHD do not always get care that works for them. We are therapists who understand ADHD professionally. And while therapy will always be about you, the client, we also live the strengths, know the struggle, and are driven to make a difference in mental healthcare because of it.
We See You:
If you are a late adolescent (16+) or adult living with ADHD there is a good chance that least some of the following applies:
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There are people who see you as a successful, impressive, loving, vivacious, or wonderful human being. You are a creative, critical thinker and ingenious problem-solver. You are open-minded. You accomplish more than many when you are interested.
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You struggle with the mundane - paperwork/homework, taking care of household chores, managing money, taking care of your health, small talk, waiting in line, going to bed on time.
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You have developed beliefs that you are lazy, selfish, broken, a failure, an imposter, or are full of unmet potential.
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You already cope in brilliant ways, but sometimes you become perfectionistic, people-pleasing, or mask yourself to do so.
Whether you were diagnosed in childhood, diagnosed late, or are seeking assessment now, there is no getting around that the world was not built for ADHD brains and that finding your best, most authentic self within that context can be challenging. But we see you. Our clients with ADHD are some of the most amazing people.
Services
Evidence-Based Therapies
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We are currently provide:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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Brief Solution-Focused Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD
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Cognitive Processing Therapy
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skill
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Exposure therapies
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Treatment of sleep disorders including CBT-I
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Motivational Interviewing
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
In-Therapy Accommodations
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We know that people with ADHD sometimes need modifications and/or supports to make evidence-based therapies work for them. This can look like:
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more structured sessions
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written homework
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agendas for session
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extra follow-up
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extra appointment reminders
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working on one goal at a time
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both flexibility and accountability with 'setbacks'
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simplifying processes, etc...
Executive Functioning
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We apply therapy to address and accommodate differences in:
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motivation and learning
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starting tasks
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forgetfulness
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impulsivity
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emotion regulation
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attention
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organization
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planning & prioritizing
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time management, etc...
Adolescents & College Students
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Therapy to support goal identification and planning in the process of applying for colleges, selecting a major, exploring careers, and creating as life that is fulfilling and a good 'fit'.
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Therapy to support the transition to and from college focused on living authentically, developing independence, and coping with executive functioning differences.
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Any of the other evidence-based therapies that we offer.
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We do not provide formal evaluations for accommodations but can help with referrals.
Support Through Transitions
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Transitions can be challenging for everyone, but tend to be more destabilizing with ADHD because we rely more heavily on the people and places around us to cope (often without realizing it).
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Plan strategies to cope
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Utilize your strengths and passions to create a life you love (college, family, career, fulfillment, and enjoyment!)
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We have significant experience with the following:
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fertility, pregnancy, perinatal issues, college and career transitions, life-course changes
Couple's Therapy
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ADHD can present unique strengths and challenges both in relationships.
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People with ADHD often deeply value empathy, passion, and connection, however may struggle to show this through day-to-day actions.
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Partners of people with ADHD can be left feeling the opposite of seen and connected, feeling they carry a heavy load of responsibility.
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Each may feel unseen, misunderstood, or lacking the very connection that they seek.
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Learn to harness the strengths of both partners to build a healthy, authentic, and connected relationship.
We Also:
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Provide therapy to family members and/or significant others of people living with ADHD as well as to other people who do not have ADHD. While each clinician that works with us has a focus area in ADHD, each clinician additionally also has their own individual focus areas.
Team
Andrea Reinhardt, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP
Services to residents of CT, NJ, VT
Focus: ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders
Ages: 16+ | Accepts Insurance in NJ and CT
Welcome! I started Real LLC because there is a need for more therapists who are ADHD-informed. I am transparent about having ADHD because I have found this to be important for the purposes of advocacy and education. I am a true clinician at heart and am deeply committed to understanding how to make therapy to work well for people with ADHD. I have significant training and experience in my specialty areas (hover below) and apply this knowledge both as a therapist and supervisor. But the bottom line: I love what I do.
As a therapist I am thoughtful, relaxed, collaborative, and warm. I can be either direct or guiding depending on what a particular client needs. I have a big drive to learn and develop as a professional and I work hard at keeping current. I have an eclectic approach and interweave structured, evidence-based therapies into my work. And while the process of therapy is inherently about creating change, I am deeply committed to supporting this from an affirming, acceptance-based lens.
The top 3 things I treat:
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Adult/Late Adolescent ADHD, and especially 1) late/recent diagnosis 2) ADHD with other mental health diagnoses 3) perfectionism, people-pleasing, & masking
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Anxiety disorders (generalized, social anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety, phobias)
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Sleep problems (insomnia, CPAP adherence, bedtime procrastination, circadian issues)
I have had long-term training in:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT)
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Exposure Therapies
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills (DBT)
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Motivational interviewing (MI)
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Strategies for executive functioning differences
I have an interest in:
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Life transitions, stress and trauma
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Transitioning to and from college
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Therapy for therapists/helping professionals
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Issues that impact women uniquely 1) fertility & perinatal issues 2) body image concerns (body neutrality, HAES orientation) 3) menopause 4) burnout
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Parenting, including issues related to fatherhood
Credentials
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MSW, 2012, Columbia University
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ADHD-Certified Clinical Service Provider
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CT: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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NJ: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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VT: Interim Telehealth Registration
Simone Graham, LSW
Simone is a deeply genuine therapist whose curiosity, openness, and flexibility are apparent immediately upon meeting her. She is a provisionally licensed clinician receiving excellent supervision in ADHD-focused therapy as well as couple's therapy and currently working on developing these specialties. Her colleagues refer to her as "an absolute gem" and "wise beyond her years", and this shows in most everything that she does. We are thrilled that she has joined our team.
Simone has a 'gut' understanding of what it means to live with this neurodevelopmental disorder as well as demonstrated success supporting clients with ADHD and/or their family members to create change. Simone demonstrates tremendous respect and flexibility toward her colleagues with ADHD and is a true "ally" in the deepest sense of the word. She is also honest and direct when needed, effectively supporting change. Simone has a background in modern cognitive-behavioral and person-centered approaches.
Services to residents of NJ
Focus: ADHD, Couples/Relationships, Life Transitions
Ages: 16+ | Out-of-Network
The top 3 things Simone treats:
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Adult ADHD
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Couples & Relationships
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Life Transitions
Simone has had training/experience/supervision in:
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Crisis Intervention
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Couple's Therapy
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Mindfulness
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Person-Centered Therapy
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Solution-Focused Therapy
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Strategies for executive functioning differences
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Trauma-Informed Therapy
Simone has an interest in:
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Anxiety Disorders
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Life transitions (college, career, marriage, family, etc.)
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Self esteem and body image
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Building Healthy Relationships
Credentials
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MSW, 2024, Monmouth University
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NJ: Licensed Social Worker
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Clinical Supervisor: Andrea Reinhardt, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP
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Christina Gonzalez Swanger, LCSW
Services to residents of NJ, PA, VT
Focus: ADHD, LGBTQ+ Affirming Care, Anxiety & Mood
Ages 16+ | Accepts Insurance in NJ and PA
Christina is an accepting, empathetic, and practical therapist who was late-diagnosed with ADHD. She sees the best in people, especially her clients, and is also driven to make sure that her clients see the best in themselves. Christina has significant experience treating a wide variety of needs in community mental health settings and has successfully shown adaptability, creativity, application of broad knowledge and humility across these settings. She has both an innate and professional understanding of ADHD and significant experience working with people with executive functioning differences. Christina is a deeply LGBTQ+ and identity-affirming therapist.
Christina uses an eclectic approach to therapy, focusing on developing and maintaining a respectful, productive, client-driven relationship in which she sees her client as the expert while also incorporating practical, evidence-based, and results-driven approaches. Christina is the kind of person that one can talk to about anything and be likely to get to a place of self-acceptance and self-compassion.
The top 3 things Christina treats:
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Adult ADHD
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LGBTQ+ Affirming Care
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Anxiety & Mood Disorders
Christina has had training/experience/supervision in:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
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Motivational interviewing (MI)
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Person-Centered Therapy
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Solution-Focused Therapy
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Strategies for executive functioning differences
Christina has an interest in:
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Gender identity & gender dysphoria
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Life transitions (college, career, marriage, family, etc.)
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Self esteem and body image (HAES orientation)
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Stress and Trauma-related concerns, especially 1) chronic health conditions, 2) grief/loss, and 3) interpersonal issues
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Issues that impact women uniquely 1) societal/cultural issues, 2) fertility
Credentials
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MSW, 2021, Kean University
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NJ: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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PA: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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VT: Interim Telehealth Registration
Each clinician who works with us is dedicated and has chosen to focus a significant part of their career on ADHD, but also has additional focuses. See bios below for more information!
Our Guiding Framework: People with ADHD do not need to be like everyone else. We can strive for a life that is meaningful, enjoyable, respectful, and with healthy connection. There are some things that we will never change about our brains and there are things about the way we operate that will always be a mismatch with the world around us. There are other things about having an ADHD brain that are incredible strengths, and still others that we can change or improve. Getting to a place of acceptance, self-compassion, and living fully as ourselves is where the most meaningful part of our work together may lie.
Payment
(note: varies by clinician)
Connecticut Residents:
New Jersey Residents:
Vermont Residents:
Pennsylvania Residents:
In-Network With:
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Aetna
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Oxford
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United Healthcare
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Oscar
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Quest Behavioral Health
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Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT
In-Network With:
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Aetna
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Anthem EAP
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Carelon Behavioral Health
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Cigna
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Oxford
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United Healthcare
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Oscar
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Quest Behavioral Health
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Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ
In-Network With:
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Aetna
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Anthem EAP
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Cigna
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Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania
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Carelon Behavioral Health
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Quest Behavioral Health
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Check back for updates!
Out-of-Network Only
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Many insurance plans have some coverage for out-of-network services
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We provide clients with invoices or submit them directly to insurance to request reimbursement; we do what we can to make the process as easy as possible
Location
Based in Newtown, CT | Online Services in CT, NJ, VT