Imogen McIntyre, MSW, RSW has been working with LGBTQ youth since 2004. They have extensive experience working with youth who are unique in terms of gender, sexuality, or neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental differences).
For the past two years Imogen has been working at North Shore Foundry, providing crisis services to youth facing acute mental health challenges. Prior to that, they have worked with health authorities, First Nations, and the provincial government to deliver mental health, substance use, and child welfare services.
Imogen’s areas of specialty include working with depression, anxiety, and complex trauma – particularly as they show up for LGBTQIA+ people; working with individuals, couples, and families to support ADHD and autism; and therapeutically applied role-playing games (using tools like Minecraft and Dungeons and Dragons as settings for play-based group therapy and social skills education).
Therapeutically applied role-playing games (TA-RPGs) support youth and adults to become more confident, creative, and socially capable through the intentional facilitation of customized, collaborative gaming experiences. Through the use of Dungeons and Dragons, Minecraft, or other games, kids, adults, and teens can enhance social skills, form lasting friendships, and build confidence and community.
TA-RPGs use the alternate worlds of games like Minecraft or Dungeons and Dragons to allow participants to see themselves in a new way, take chances in ways that might not feel as safe in the "real world"; and to start utilizing new patterns of behaviour to replace old ones that might not be serving them. Although TA-RPGs are a newer modality, they build on decades of research about the efficacy of play-based therapies, and function in the spirit of “meeting clients where they’re at.” No specific diagnosis is required to benefit from or participate in TA-RPGs, but commonly supported populations include ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, and more.
In their individual, couples, and family work, Imogen draws on training in a number of
evidence-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT),
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), narrative
therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Imogen works from the
perspective that LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent people often have unique needs in
counselling because of messages throughout their lives saying that they don’t fit within their
environments. Counselling can support these individuals to find community, experience a
more consistent sense of self-worth, and build lives that fit for them. Imogen tailors their
approach to each individual client, and strives to create an affirming environment where
every person is welcomed as their whole self.
Imogen is available online and in-person in Vancouver and Abbotsford.
Upcoming Groups:
Imogen will be hosting an online Dungeons and Dragons group starting Oct 5. Info coming soon.
You can also email them at imogen.mcIntyre.counselling@gmail.com to be added to their waitlist for an LGBTQ affirming group, date TBD
Qualifications:
Imogen is a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers, and received their Master of Social Work from the University of British Columbia.
Fees:
$160 for an individual session
$200 for a couple or family session
Payment in the form of cash, cheques, or email transfer is due at the end of each session unless other arrangements have been made.
Some third party payment plans such as Extended Health Care Insurance and Employee/Family Assistance Programs pay partial or total coverage for counselling services. Please follow up with your benefits plan/health care provider.
Cancellation:
Please note that 2 days notice is required to cancel a scheduled appointment to avoid being charged the full session fee.
Location:
Imogen is available for virtual appointments and in-person appointments in Vancouver and Abbotsford.
Contact:
You can contact Imogen directly at imogen.mcIntyre.counselling@gmail.com to schedule a session or through the Three Story Clinic reception by email at admin@threestoryclinic.com.
Existing clients may book Imogen through our online booking.