• Imi Lo

  • Hi! I am Imi. I work with highly intense, sensitive, and gifted humans.

I have spent my professional life of over a decade in pursuit of answers to one question: ‘What do people who are emotionally sensitive and intense need?’

My initial foray into mental health began as a suicide counselor in 2009. However, as time progressed, I felt a deep calling to explore the spiritual, philosophical, and creative aspects of well-being. This led me to shift away from conventional psychotherapy, seeking a broader approach that goes beyond the medical paradigm, which often pathologizes individuals rather than understanding their unique needs. I have found more solace in ancient wisdom, particularly drawing inspiration from Stoicism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

I hold a Master's in Mental Health from the University of Queensland's School of Medicine, Australia. This education equipped me with insights into various mental health diagnoses and effective approaches to working with them. Seeking to incorporate a spiritual dimension into my practice, I pursued a Master's in Buddhist Studies. My dissertation focused on exploring the intersection between the ancient Stoic Marcus Aurelius's work and Buddhist scriptures. While I don't identify as a 'Buddhist' and don't advocate for any specific religion, I find joy in learning from diverse world philosophies and extracting wisdom from them.

Having held roles in various countries, including Mental Health Supervisor at Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders and Clinical Practitioner in an NHS Community Mental Health Team, I've honed my skills in understanding and advocating for neurodivergent individuals.

My current passion is in coaching highly intense and gifted adults, fueled by the realization that the needs of gifted grown-ups are often overlooked in mainstream discussions. While resources for gifted children are abundant, there is a noticeable silence around the distinct challenges faced by gifted adults, including issues like shame, fear of attacks, and the childhood trauma of being parentified.

I tend to be rather direct. While I understand this may not be for anyone, I believe the truth can set us free.  Underneath all the techniques and theories, it is the genuine relationship between us and the insights that we find together that will create the most lasting changes for you. 

If you are interested in my journey and what got me here, I wrote about some of my personal histories and struggles. I also spoke about my childhood experience and journey in this conversation with the brilliant Adam Williams from Humanitou.

Experience

  • Mental Health Supervisor- Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders

  • Clinical Supervisor- Mind

  • Psychotherapist/ Mentalisation Therapist– NHS Personality Disorder Team

  • Trainer and Module Leader – Beeleaf Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy

  • Social Worker/ Clinical Practitioner- NHS Personality Disorder Community Team

  • Non-Executive Director- Emergence Plus (Personality disorders service-user-led organization)

  • Honorary Psychotherapist- London Friend (LGBT Charity)

  • Wellbeing Centre Officer– Mind, Richmond Royal Hospital

  • Mental Health Mentor- Randstad Student Support, UK

  • Healthcare Assistant- NHS Eating Disorder Inpatient Unit

  • Suicide Counsellor – Samaritans Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre, HK

  • Placement Art Therapist - Tennyson Special Education School, Australia

  • Placement Art Therapist and Counselling Practitioner- Centacare Family Services, Australia

  • Taipei Psychiatric Hospital Drug & Alcohol Unit, Taiwan

Teaching Experience

I have delivered training workshops for trainee therapists seeking accreditation with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Some of the modules I have taught include Human Development, Psychopathology, Attachment theories, and Personality Disorders, and Suicide Crisis management. With students’ consent, the following are testimonials for the workshops I have delivered:

Imi has an incredible wealth of knowledge and talent in her subject areas, and she shared it with us in a totally accessible way that felt inclusive & respectful at all times. Her humility compassion & warmth blended with her expertise and professionalism throughout. It was a thoroughly enjoyable & informative learning experience... — Lesley C., Lead family support worker at London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Insightful, brilliantly delivered, flowing with compassion and understanding, giving us time to digest this complex area of therapy. Thank you so much Imi. — Ed L., Director & Principal Coach at BlueTouchPaper Consulting

Consultation and Projects

  • Speaker- Presentation on the convergence of Buddhism and Stoicism - 6th International Conference on Philosophical Counseling & Practice

  • Mental Health Consulting- TrueMind+Body Wellness Centre

  • Workshop on Schema Coaching- Henley Business School, University of Reading

  • Founder/ Host- Eggshell Collective BPD Social Group in Central London

  • Panel Member- 'Absolute Truth Talks,' hosted by Philharmonia Orchestra and House of Absolute, London

Reviews, References, and Testimonials

I have had the honor of working with many wonderful people throughout the years. Here are some kind words and professional references from clients, supervisors, and colleagues.

Education

  • Master of Mental Health (Distinction); Awarded the Dean's Commendations for High Achievement; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia

  • Master of Buddhist Studies (Distinction);   Tung Lin Kok Yuen Postgraduate Scholarship; The University of Hong Kong, HK

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Studies; Metanoia Institute, Middlesex University, UK

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology; University of Derby, UK

  • Bachelor of Social Science- Social Work; First Class Honour. Completed with multiple scholarships at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, HK

  • Yale Summer Art Program; Distinction; University of Yale

Professional and Academic Awards

  • Tung Lin Kok Yuen Postgraduate Scholarship for Buddhist Studies, 2020

  • Dean’s Commendation for High Achievements- University of Queensland, 2011

  • Endeavour Award (International), 2010 – Australian Government

  • Dean’s List Recipient, School of Social Work, 2009, CUHK

  • HSBC Social Work Scholarship, CUHK

  • Social Work Departmental Prize, CUHK

  • Class Scholarship, CUHK

Certificates and Diploma

  • Certificate in the Principles of the Theory and Practice of Supervision - Metanoia Institute, London UK

  • Certificate in Jungian Studies  - C.G. Jung Centre

  • Oxford Executive Leadership Program - University of Oxford, UK

  • Solutions Focused Coaching Fundamentals (67 hours)- Solutions Academy (ICF Accredited Program), Germany.

  • Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy - Beeleaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, UK

  • Certificate in Logic-Based Therapy (a form of Philosophical Counselling) - The Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute/ National Philosophical Counseling Association

  • Mentalization-based Therapy (Advanced) Training  - Anna Freud Centre, University College London (UCL), UK

  • Using the Enneagram in Psychological Assessment and Practice  - Union Institute & University

  • Psychosynthesis Foundation- The Institute of Psychosynthesis, UK

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Clinical Training Retreat - Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, UK

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Practicum - Openground Australia

Additional Training

  • EMDR Training- EMDR Europe

  • Psychological First Aid- Médecins Sans Frontières

  • Psychosocial Support for Migrants- IOM

  • Intensive Mentalisation Training - British Association for Art Therapists, UK 

  • Diversity and Inclusion -King's College London, UK

  • Language and Global Identities - King's College London, UK

  • LGBT Counselling and Transgender Awareness Training  - London Friend, UK

  • Principles and Practice of Ericksonian Hypno-Psychotherapy - Beeleaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, UK

  • Applying Enneagram in Coaching and Counselling  - InnerSpace HK

  • Psycho-Educational Approach to Art Therapy   - British Association for Art Therapists, UK

  • Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) Master Practitioner - Beeleaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, UK

  • Working Successfully with Addictions - Beeleaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, UK

  • Heart-mind with Mindfulness: Clinical Applications of Mindfulness  - Mindfulness Centre, Australia

Publications

Books

Academic Journals

  • “A heuristic and art-based inquiry: The experience of combining mindfulness practice and art-making”; Published in The Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Journal 2011 (Volume 6)

  • “An LBT Session with a Client Going Through a Breakup”— Published in the International Journal of Philosophical Practice, Vol 6, No.1, Spring 2020

Everything else

Expertise

Coaching Gifted Adults

Coaching gifted adults to address common challenges such as underachievement, perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, social isolation, loneliness, overexcitabilities, career boredom and diversification, and relationship struggles.

High Sensitivity and Empath Psychology

Specialized guidance for highly sensitive and empathic individuals seeking their place in the world. The coaching process addresses sensory integration issues, challenges like misophonia, managing relationship misunderstandings, emotional reactivity, and porous energetic boundaries.

Trauma-informed Coaching

Knowledge and experiences in Complex Trauma (PTSD), Parentification Trauma, Narcissistic Abuse, Splitting, Structural Dissociation, and Personality Disorders (Cluster B and C), including Borderline Personality Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. (Although I was trained in specialized forms of psychotherapies such as EMDR and Mentalization-based Treatment, I no longer offer these or practice as a mental health therapist)

Cross-cultural Experiences

Coaching and consultations for those navigating cross-cultural experiences, whether first or second-generation immigrants or the children of immigrants. Addressing issues surrounding transgenerational trauma, cultural dissonance, cross-cultural challenges, and ancestral trauma.

Existential and Mid-life Crisis

Coaching individuals experiencing significant life transitions, such as mid-life, quarter-life, and existential crises. The work is informed by philosophies such as Stoicism and Buddhism, Jungian theories, and archetypal symbolism.

Media

Highlights

  • Here is a deep and raw conversation with the brilliant Adam Williams from Humanitou. The take-home message is we ought to grieve who we're not and embrace who we really are.Newspaper and Magazines

  • A video interview with Corrie Lo about my personal journey.

  • And here is an interview that summarises the work I do.

Exclusive Interviews

 

Media Consultations and Mentions

 

Podcast/ Youtube Interviews