Imi Lo is an internationally published author and independent consultant specializing in high intensity, sensitivity, and adult giftedness. She has published three books with Hachette: Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity (2018), translated into seven languages), The Gift of Intensity (2021), and The Gift of Empathy (2025).
With three master’s degrees in Mental Health (University of Queensland), Buddhist Studies (University of Hong Kong), and Global Cultures (King’s College London), Imi brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her work. Her professional experience includes work with Médecins Sans Frontières and the UK National Health Service. She has previously held roles as a psychotherapist, art therapist, suicide crisis social worker, and mental health supervisor.
Imi integrates coaching with psychoanalytic depth and philosophical insights, drawing from training in philosophical counseling, Jungian psychology, art psychotherapy, mentalization-based treatment, and trauma-informed modalities. Her research focuses on comparative approaches to existential questions, drawing particularly from Daoism, Stoicism, and Hellenistic philosophies.
More about my professional footprints
Hi! I am Imi. I work with highly intense, curious, existentially aware humans.
I started in mental health as a suicide counselor in 2009. As time progressed, I found myself drawn to the spiritual, philosophical, and creative aspects of well-being. I shifted 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 Daoism.
I hold a Master’s in Mental Health from the University of Queensland’s School of Medicine, Australia. Seeking to incorporate a spiritual dimension into my practice, I pursued a Master’s in Buddhist Studies, with my dissertation exploring the intersection between the ancient Stoic Marcus Aurelius’s work and Buddhist scriptures. While I do not identify as a “Buddhist” and do not advocate for any specific religion, I enjoy learning from diverse world philosophies and finding wisdom in them. Later, I wished to bridge what I learned with real-life sociological and systemic issues, so I studied Global Cultures at King’s College London to deepen my understanding of how identity, belonging, and meaning are shaped across different contexts, including the complexities of intersectionality, LGBTQ+ experiences, migration, and diaspora.
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 have seen firsthand how neurodivergent individuals are often misunderstood by the systems meant to help them.
My current passion is 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 being targeted, and the childhood trauma of being parentified.
I tend to be rather direct. While I understand this may not be for everyone, I believe clarity, even when uncomfortable, is what actually helps. Underneath all the techniques and theories, it is the genuine relationship between us and the insights we find together that will create the most lasting changes.
If you are interested in my personal 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.
- A video interview with Corrie Lo about my personal journey.
- And here are some videos about the work itself
I look forward to being with you!
Imi
Education
- Master of Arts in Global Cultures (Distinction); King’s College London
- Master of Mental Health (Distinction); School of Medicine, University of Queensland
- Master of Buddhist Studies (Distinction); The University of Hong Kong
- Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Studies; Metanoia Institute, Middlesex University
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology; University of Derby, UK
- 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
Professional 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
- 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
Voluntary/ Honorary Positions
- Director, Honorary Secretary, Committee Member- Mensa HK
- Non-Executive Director- Emergence Plus (Personality disorders service-user-led organization) UK
- Honorary Psychotherapist- London Friend (LGBT Charity)
- Art Therapist – Tennyson Special Education School, Australia
- Art Therapist and Counselling Practitioner- Centacare Family Services, Australia
- Taipei Psychiatric Hospital Drug & Alcohol Unit, Taiwan
Teaching and Training
- Faculty Member/ Module Lead- Beeleaf Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy, UKCP Accrediting Organisation
- Consultant— ‘Working with Challenging Clients’ — True Mind + Body Centre, Chicago
- Workshop — ‘Schema Coaching’— Henley Business School, University of Reading
- Workshop — ‘Why we react the way we do at work’ — Brinks Women’s Network
Certificates and Diplomas
- Certificate in Jungian Studies – C.G. Jung Centre
- Certificate in the Principles of the Theory and Practice of Supervision – Metanoia Institute, London UK
- EMDR Training (Full training completed)- EMDR Europe
- Certificate in Logic-Based Therapy- The Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation Institute/ National Philosophical Counseling Association
- Solutions Focused Coaching Fundamentals (67 hours)- Solutions Academy (ICF Accredited Program), Germany.
- Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy – Beeleaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, UK
- Mentalization-based Therapy (Advanced) Training – Anna Freud Centre, University College London (UCL), UK
- Oxford Executive Leadership Program – University of Oxford, 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
- Psychological First Aid- Médecins Sans Frontières
- Psychosocial Support for Migrants- IOM
- Intensive Mentalisation Training – British Association for Art Therapists, 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
- Working Successfully with Addictions – Beeleaf Institute for Conztemporary Psychotherapy, UK
- Heart-mind with Mindfulness: Clinical Applications of Mindfulness – Mindfulness Centre, Australia
Books and Published Works
- The Gift of Empathy – Printed and Audiobook, published by Hachette in 2025
- The Gift of Intensity– Printed and Audiobook, published by Hachette, 2021— Published in English, French, Chinese; also as an Audiobook.
- Emotional Sensitivity and Intensity– Published by Hachette, 2018— Published in English, French, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Dutch, Polish, and German
- The Practical Guide to Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (自殺危機評估及介入實務指引) Translator
- Introduction for the Art for Mindfulness Colouring book series, published by Harper Collins
- Writer on Psychology Today
Reviews, References, and Testimonials
Throughout the years, I have had the honor of working with many wonderful people. Here are some kind words and professional references from coachees, supervisors, and colleagues.
Conference Presentation
“Friendship, Death, and Loss in Zhuangzi and Roman Stoicism”
“Leadership Philosophies in Ancient Texts: A Comparative Analysis of Meditations and Daodejing”
“Sensibility and Emotional Intensity in Gifted Adults and the Medical Paradigm: Trauma and neuroatypicals”
“Social and Ethical Wisdom for Modern Living: The Dhammapada and Meditations in Philosophical Practice”
Academic Publications
“Exploring Intersections Between The Dhammapada and Meditations”
“An LBT Session with a Client Going Through a Breakup”
“A heuristic and art-based inquiry: The experience of combining mindfulness practice and art making”
Public Work
- Panel Member— ‘Absolute Truth Talks,’ Philharmonia Orchestra and House of Absolute, London
- Podcast Host— The Intense Mind Podcast
- Host— Eggshell Collective BPD Group in Central London
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.
Heightened Sensitivity and Empathy
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 Understanding
Knowledge and experience in working with Complex Trauma, Parentification, Narcissistic Abuse, Structural Dissociation, and Personality Disorders (Cluster B and C). (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 the dispora experience.
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.
Interviews and Media Consultations
Thank you for being here, and I look forward to meeting you!
Imi