Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD and Autism Evaluations and Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy in New Jersey
Find answers to common questions about ADHD testing and Autism evaluations in New Jersey for children and teens and adults, neurodiversity affirming therapy, play therapy, immigration mental health evaluations, fees and out-of-network billing, and telehealth services at True Reflections Mental Health Services in Middlesex, NJ. Do not see your question? Reach out at info@truereflectionsmhs.com
About True Reflections Mental Health Services
Q: What is True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: True Reflections Mental Health Services is a neurodiversity affirming therapy and evaluation practice located in Middlesex, NJ, founded and led by Janine Kelly, MSW, LCSW, C-NDAAP, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS, PMH-C, RPT-S™, C-DBT, CBT-C, CCATP-CA, CATP. The practice specializes in supporting autistic and ADHD children, teens, and adults, with additional specializations in anxiety, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Services are available in-person in Middlesex, NJ, and virtually throughout New Jersey and Florida.
Q: Who is Janine Kelly?
A: Janine Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Neurodiversity Affirming Advanced Practice Professional (C-NDAAP) in Middlesex, NJ, and holds additional certifications in ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS, PMH-C, RPT-S™, C-DBT, CBT-C, CCATP-CA, and CATP. As a neurodivergent clinician who received her own ADHD and Autism diagnosis later in life, Janine brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with clients.
Q: Where is True Reflections Mental Health Services located?
A: The office is located at 518 Clinton Ave, Middlesex, NJ 08846. It is a sensory-friendly home office designed with adjustable lighting and noise levels and flexible seating to support clients with sensory integration needs. Telehealth services are available throughout New Jersey and Florida.
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services offer telehealth?
A: Yes. Telehealth therapy and evaluation services are available virtually throughout New Jersey and Florida. In-person services are offered at the Middlesex, NJ office.
Q: Who is True Reflections Mental Health Services a good fit for?
A: True Reflections Mental Health Services is a strong fit for autistic individuals, ADHDers, people who suspect they may be neurodivergent, and anyone who has felt out of place in traditional therapy or evaluation settings. Services are available for children as young as 2.5 years old through adulthood, including teens, college students, and adults seeking a later-in-life ADHD or Autism diagnosis. The practice also serves parents navigating a new diagnosis for their child, individuals with co-occurring anxiety or trauma, and people in the perinatal period. True Reflections MHS is fully private pay and out-of-network with most insurance plans.
Q: I think I might be autistic or have ADHD. Where do I start?
A: If you suspect you may be autistic or have ADHD, an evaluation is a great place to begin. At True Reflections Mental Health Services, you can reach out directly through the contact form or by emailing info@truereflectionsmhs.com. Janine will connect with you to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and determine whether a neurodiversity affirming evaluation is the right next step. No referral is required to begin the process. You do not need to have a prior diagnosis or a specific reason to suspect ADHD or Autism. Many clients come simply with a feeling that something has always been different, and that is enough to start the conversation.
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services offer telehealth therapy and evaluations in Florida?
A: Yes. Neurodiversity affirming ADHD and Autism evaluations are available via telehealth for clients throughout New Jersey and Florida. Telehealth evaluations follow the same comprehensive, individualized process as in-person assessments and are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. This option is ideal for clients who are unable to travel to the Middlesex, NJ office or who prefer to complete the evaluation process from their own home environment. To schedule a telehealth evaluation, complete the appointment request form online or email info@truereflectionsmhs.com.
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services offer immigration mental health evaluations?
A: Yes. True Reflections Mental Health Services offers immigration mental health evaluations for individuals navigating the U.S. immigration process. These evaluations are conducted by Janine Kelly, LCSW, and are used to support immigration cases including asylum applications, U visas, VAWA petitions, and other immigration-related legal proceedings. Evaluation interviews are offered in English and Spanish, and the report is written in English. Immigration mental health evaluations are conducted in-person at the Middlesex, NJ office and via telehealth throughout New Jersey and Florida. To learn more or request an evaluation, reach out at info@truereflectionsmhs.com or call (908) 271-8000.
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy
Q: What is neurodiversity affirming therapy?
A: Neurodiversity affirming therapy is an approach that recognizes ADHD, Autism, and other neurological differences as natural variations in human development rather than deficits to be fixed. A neurodiversity affirming therapist works to support the client's strengths, identity, and wellbeing without trying to change who they fundamentally are. The goal is to help clients thrive as they are, not to make them appear more neurotypical.
Q:Who can benefit from neurodiversity affirming therapy?
A: Neurodiversity affirming therapy is beneficial for autistic individuals, ADHDers, people with learning differences, and anyone who has spent their life feeling different without knowing why. It is appropriate for children, teens, and adults. At True Reflections MHS, services are offered to clients from toddlers through adulthood, including parents navigating a new diagnosis for themselves or their child.
Q: What conditions does True Reflections Mental Health Services treat?
A: True Reflections Mental Health Services specializes in ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, trauma and PTSD/CPTSD, perinatal mood disorders (prenatal and postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD), and the unique mental health challenges that arise at the intersection of neurodivergence and trauma. Later-in-life ADHD and Autism diagnosis support is also available.
Q: What therapy approaches does True Reflections Mental Health Services use?
A: Janine Kelly is trained in a wide range of evidence-based and neurodiversity affirming therapeutic approaches including Play Therapy, AutPlay Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Interoceptive Awareness Training.
Play Therapy
Q: What is play therapy?
A: Play therapy is an evidence-based form of treatment that uses play as the primary medium for children to express their feelings, process experiences, and develop coping strategies. Because children naturally communicate through play rather than words, play therapy is a developmentally appropriate way for a therapist to build a relationship with a child and support their mental health. It is typically used with children ages 3 to 12 but can be adapted for individuals of all ages.
Q: What age is play therapy appropriate for?
A: Play therapy is typically used with children between the ages of 3 and 12. At True Reflections MHS, services are available for children as young as 2.5 years old. Play-based approaches can also be adapted for teens and adults when appropriate.
Q: What does a play therapy session look like?
A: In a play therapy session, the child is provided with carefully selected therapeutic materials including puppets, miniature figures, sand trays, art supplies, books, and therapeutic games. The child leads the play while the therapist provides a safe, non-judgmental presence. Children do not need to talk about their problems directly; through play they naturally project and process their inner experiences. Parents are not typically present in the session room but are an important part of the therapeutic process.
Q:What does play therapy help with?
A: Play therapy is effective for anxiety, trauma, ADHD, Autism, depression, grief and loss, anger and aggression, adjustment to family changes, school-related difficulties, social challenges, and self-regulation difficulties. At True Reflections Mental Health Services, play therapy is delivered through a neurodiversity affirming lens.
Q: What is AutPlay Therapy?
A: AutPlay Therapy is a play and relationship-based therapy framework designed specifically for autistic and neurodivergent children and teens, offered at True Reflections Mental Health Services in Middlesex, NJ by Janine Kelly, a certified AutPlay Therapy provider. It integrates play therapy with research-based strategies tailored to the needs of neurodivergent clients, focusing on emotional regulation, social development, and overall wellbeing without trying to change neurological differences.
Q: What is Sandtray Therapy?
A: Sandtray Therapy is a form of play therapy that uses a tray filled with sand and a collection of miniature objects. Clients create their own scenes in the sand to represent their inner experiences, emotions, and relationships. It is a powerful therapeutic tool for both children and adults, particularly for those who find it difficult to express themselves verbally. It is offered as part of the services at True Reflections Mental Health Services.
ADHD and Autism Evaluations
Q: What is a neurodiversity affirming ADHD and Autism evaluation?
A: A neurodiversity affirming ADHD and Autism evaluation is a comprehensive assessment process that evaluates for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and related differences using a strength-based, affirming framework. Unlike traditional deficit-focused evaluations, this approach identifies how a person's brain works, what supports they need, and how their neurological profile shapes their experiences. Evaluations at True Reflections Mental Health Services are available for children, teens, and adults, in-person in Middlesex, NJ and virtually throughout New Jersey and Florida.
Q: Does True Reflections MHS offer evaluations for adults?
A: Yes. Neurodiversity affirming ADHD and Autism evaluations are available for adults at True Reflections MHS, both in-person in Middlesex, NJ and virtually throughout New Jersey. Adult evaluations are particularly meaningful for individuals who suspect they may be autistic or have ADHD and have not yet received a formal assessment.
Q: What is the difference between an ADHD evaluation and an Autism evaluation?
A: ADHD and Autism are distinct neurological profiles that require different assessment tools and methods, though they frequently co-occur. An ADHD evaluation focuses on attention, impulse control, working memory, and executive functioning. An Autism evaluation examines social communication, sensory processing, behavioral patterns, and identity development. At True Reflections Mental Health Services, evaluations are designed to assess each client comprehensively, and it is common for both ADHD and Autism to be evaluated in the same process when the clinical picture warrants it.
Q: Can a child or adult be evaluated for both ADHD and Autism at the same time?
A: Yes. ADHD and Autism frequently co-occur, and evaluating for both at the same time is often clinically appropriate. At True Reflections Mental Health Services, evaluations are individualized to each child, teen, or adult and can assess for ADHD, Autism, or both, depending on the presenting concerns and referral questions. This approach avoids the need for multiple separate assessments and provides a more complete picture of how a person's brain works.
Q: Do I need a referral to get an ADHD or Autism evaluation?
A: No referral is required to schedule a neurodiversity affirming evaluation at True Reflections Mental Health Services. You can request an appointment directly through the website to begin the process. Because True Reflections Mental Health Services is a private pay, out-of-network practice, there are no insurance gatekeeping requirements that would require a physician referral prior to evaluation.
Q: Can ADHD or Autism evaluations be done via telehealth?
A: Yes. Neurodiversity affirming ADHD and Autism evaluations are available via telehealth for clients throughout New Jersey and Florida. Telehealth evaluations use the same comprehensive, individualized process as in-person assessments and are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. This option is particularly useful for clients who are unable to travel to the Middlesex, NJ office or who prefer to complete the process from their own home environment.
Q: How long does an ADHD or Autism evaluation take?
A: The length of an evaluation at True Reflections Mental Health Services varies based on the type of assessment, the age of the client, and the referral questions being addressed. Evaluations typically involve an intake appointment, one or more assessment sessions, and a feedback session during which the report and findings are reviewed in detail. The full evaluation process from intake through the feedback session typically takes 4 to 6 weeks depending on scheduling availability.
Q: What is included in an evaluation report from True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: The evaluation report includes a summary of background history, a description of all assessment tools and methods used, results and interpretation of every measure administered, diagnostic impressions, a strengths-based profile of the client, and practical recommendations for home, school, or work. The report is reviewed in full during the feedback session so that clients and families leave with a clear understanding of the findings and what to do next.
Q: How much does an ADHD or Autism evaluation cost at True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: Evaluation fees at True Reflections Mental Health Services vary based on the type and scope of the assessment. To view the evaluation fees visit our Fees/Out-of-network page. Evaluation fees are not billed through insurance, though a Superbill may be provided after the feedback session.
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services offer payment plans for evaluations?
A: Yes. Payment plan options are available for evaluations at True Reflections Mental Health Services. Visit our Fees/Out-of-network page for more information.
Q: Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for an evaluation?
A: Yes. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are accepted for ADHD and Autism evaluations at True Reflections Mental Health Services. The NeuroVocational Assessment is the one exception and is not eligible for HSA or FSA payment. Please confirm with your plan administrator, as coverage can vary by plan.
Q: What is a NeuroVocational Assessment?
A: A NeuroVocational Assessment is a specialized evaluation that helps individuals understand how their neurological profile intersects with their strengths, work preferences, and career fit. It is available to anyone, including those without an existing neurodivergence diagnosis, who wants to better understand the environments and roles where they are most likely to thrive. The assessment explores cognitive strengths, sensory and environmental preferences, executive functioning patterns, and values-based career alignment. The NeuroVocational Assessment does not result in a mental health diagnosis. It is not covered by insurance, HSA, or FSA, and personal checks are not accepted as payment. It is available to adults and can be completed in-person at the Middlesex, NJ office or virtually throughout New Jersey and Florida.
Fees and Insurance
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services accept insurance?
A: True Reflections Mental Health Services is an out-of-network provider and does not bill insurance directly. Full payment is due at the time of the appointment. A Superbill (statement for insurance reimbursement) is emailed after each session so clients can submit it to their insurance company for potential partial reimbursement, depending on their out-of-network benefits.
Q: What are the therapy fees at True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: The initial intake appointment is $285. For children and adolescents, two intake appointments are required: one with the parent ($285) and one with the child or teen ($285). Ongoing therapy sessions are $260 per session. Payment is accepted via cash, debit card, credit card, HSA, and FSA.
Q: What is a Superbill and how do I use it?
A: A Superbill is a detailed receipt provided by a healthcare or mental health provider that includes all of the information your insurance company needs to process a reimbursement claim for out-of-network services. It typically includes the provider's name, license, and NPI number, the date of service, the diagnosis code, and the procedure code (CPT code) for the session. At True Reflections Mental Health Services, a Superbill is emailed to clients after the feedback session for evaluations, and after each therapy session on an ongoing basis. To use it, you submit the Superbill directly to your insurance company along with any required out-of-network claim forms. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your specific plan's out-of-network benefits.
Q: Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for therapy?
A: Yes. True Reflections Mental Health Services accepts Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) as payment for therapy services.
Q: What questions should I ask my insurance about out-of-network benefits?
A: Before your first appointment, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask the following: whether your policy includes out-of-network mental health benefits, whether a referral or prior authorization is required, what your out-of-network deductible is and how much has been met, and what percentage of the usual and customary fee is reimbursed for CPT codes 90791, 90837, 90834, and 90847. Ask for the name of the representative and a reference number for your records.
Getting Started
Q: How do I schedule an appointment at True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: You can request an appointment by completing the appointment request form or emailing info@truereflectionsmhs.com. Janine will follow up to discuss your needs and determine whether True Reflections Mental Health Services is the right fit.
Q: What should I expect after I reach out to True Reflections Mental Health Services?
A: After you reach out, Janine will follow up via email to hear about your concerns, answer any questions you have, and determine together whether True Reflections Mental Health Services is the right fit for you. If it is, you will receive clear information about next steps, paperwork, and scheduling. There is no pressure to commit, and no question is too small.
Q: What happens at the first therapy appointment?
A: For adults, the first appointment is an intake session where Janine gathers background information about your history, current concerns, and goals for therapy. For children and adolescents, two intake appointments are required: the first is a parent-only session to gather developmental and family history, and the second is with the child or teen directly. This two-appointment intake process ensures the most thorough understanding of your child's needs before treatment begins.
Q: Does True Reflections Mental Health Services have a waitlist?
A: No. True Reflections Mental Health Services does not maintain a waitlist. New clients are typically able to schedule within a short timeframe after reaching out, often within days to a couple of weeks, not months. When you are ready to move forward, you do not have to wait to get started. You can request an appointment directly through the website at truereflectionsmhs.com/schedule or by emailing info@truereflectionsmhs.com
Q: Is the office sensory-friendly?
A: Yes. The True Reflections MHS office is designed with neurodivergent clients in mind. Lighting and noise levels can be adjusted as needed, toys and materials can be covered if a child feels overstimulated, and a variety of seating arrangements are available to support comfort and regulation.
Still have questions? Janine is happy to help. Reach out directly at info@truereflectionsmhs.com or call (908) 271-8000, or click below to request an appointment.
True Reflections Mental Health Services is a neurodiversity affirming therapy and evaluation practice serving children, teens, and adults in Middlesex, NJ and throughout New Jersey and Florida via telehealth. Whether you are seeking ADHD or Autism testing, immigration mental health evaluations in English and Spanish, play therapy, trauma support, prenatal and postpartum therapy, or support following a later-in-life neurodivergence diagnosis, True Reflections Mental Health Services offers compassionate, strength-based care grounded in lived experience. Janine Kelly, LCSW, C-NDAAP, RPT-S, is ready to answer your questions. Reach out at info@truereflectionsmhs.com or request an appointment below