FAQ

What is Imago Therapy?

Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) was created by Dr. Harville Hendrix, author of the best-selling “Getting the Love You Want: A Guide For Couples (1988).”   Imago therapy is a highly effective relationship therapy in which participants learn to communicate through a dialogue process that moves participants from blame to empathy.  I find that couples and family members are able to get to the heart of their conflicts and gain a deeper understanding of each other's needs.  

What can I expect from a session?

During Imago Relationship therapy you will be guided in successfully communicating about your frustrations and needs.  You will be supported in really listening to your partner and can expect to gain a new understanding of your conflict.   Imago therapy sessions are available not only for adult partners, but also for any significant relationship, including parents and teens and extended family groups.  I will remain neutral through the conversations and serve as a guide for communicating effectively.  You can expect all participants to feel heard and supported.   

What benefits can I expect?

You will gain insight into the perception of those you love through deeply listening.  You will learn to identify and communicate your own feelings, needs, and values.  New options for approaching seemingly difficulty dilemmas will emerge.   You will have the opportunity to create more peace, harmony, and joyfulness in your life and relationships.

Some of the benefits available from modalities I provide include:

  • Successfully communicating your needs to others
  • Feeling more connected in your relationships
  • Improving listening and communication skills
  • Developing new skills for handling stress and anxiety
  • Modifying unhealthy behavior and self-defeating patterns
  • Attaining insight into personal patterns and behavior
  • Increasing confidence, peace, vitality, and well-being
  • Improving ways to manage anger, depression and moods
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems
  • Navigating life’s obstacles more effectively
  • Experiencing creativity
  • Enhancing the overall quality of life

Will art therapy be used in couples work?

Art therapy may be occassionally offered in more advanced couples sessions to provide an opportunity for deeper reflection and insight.  Art therapy is used to enhance the work but is not primary in the couples work.  I typically use art therapy in the work with individuals and larger groups.

What is art therapy?

The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a "mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages.  It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self awareness, and achieve insight.

 Many clients find art therapy to be a fun and relaxing way to explore and cope with their problems.  I have found art therapy to be helpful for people dealing with traumatic experiences, life transitions, significant losses, self-destructive patterns, or relational challenges.  Art therapy typically feels natural and safe to children and is an effective way for them to work on emotional and behavioral difficulties.  Adults find art therapy leads to powerful new insights and are relieved to learn that no previous art experience is needed to benefit.

Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

Insurance coverage is based on medical necessity and requires a diagnosis.  

In the adult couples therapy work it is important that the therapy focus on the relationship and this is not a covered benefit on insurance plans.  For this reason I have developed an affordable relationship package to assist you in meeting your relationship goals.  

If you hope to utilize your insurance for a mental health condition,  determine if you have mental health coverage with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

  • Do I have mental health benefits?
  • What is my deductible and has it been met?
  • Do I have a co-pay and what is it?
  • How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
  • Is Laura Aube an in-network provider or an out-of-network provider?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • Is a pre-authorization required by my therapist?

I am an in-network provider with many health insurance companies including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Health Care.  However often times insurance companies will have products that exclude mental health benefits or further limit the provider that may be seen.  

What are the various methods of payment I can use to pay for my counseling services?

Check, Cash, Credit Card (which includes Pay Pal). If you decide to pay for ten session within the first two session you will receive a significant discount.

Is therapy confidential?

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
  • If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to try to ensure their safety.

SECURITY & CONFIDENTIALITY

Couples receive access to a Private Client Portal.

Is this client center and my data secured and safe?

Yes! In fact, there are 3 levels of security: provided to keep your data safe and confidential:  

  1. Username and password protected;
  2. Verisign Security Certificate protects your data on this site; 
  3. Secured pages (https://)

Is my information confidential?

Yes. This site is protected by a username/password system. You are the only one that has access to your information.  

ACCESSING THE PRIVATE CLIENT AREA

 How do I access your private client area and how do I log in?

Click on the Login link in the navigational menu of the website. Then enter the username and password that has been assigned to you. Don't have login information yet?  Contact me so we can get an account created for you.

I have a password that I use for most of my on-line accounts.  Can I change the password you assigned to me?

Yes. You will need to log in initially using the password I assigned to you. Once you log in, you can change your password at any time in your Client Profile page, that you find under the FORMS tab.

What if I forget or lose my password and login information?

If you simply forgot your password, you can still go to the Login page by clicking the Login link. Click on the blue link "forgot password" to the right of the "Login" button and, in the new "Forgot Password" window, enter your username and click on the "Continue" button. You will receive an email shortly with your password included.

If you misplaced both your username and password, contact me and I will forward you your information.

I’m trying to log in, but it will not accept my username or password, what do I do?

Remember that the login information is case sensitive, so enter it exactly like it was given to you. Also, type in your login credentials and DO NOT copy/paste it, as this procedure can include empty spaces, which count in a password, thus rendering incorrect. Again, if you do not remember your login credentials, you can contact me via email and I'll forward them to you.

 

 





Receive relationship concepts and affirmations to begin to make the shifts that lead to close connected relationships you long for.  You will initially receive helpful tips and then every week you will receive an affirmation with a meaningful relationship concept.