Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
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Karen McIntosh

Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
2 Endorsed
Call Me
Let's Connect (343) 309-5635
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Available both in-person and online
293 MacLaren Street Ottawa, ON K2P
You want to feel different: less overwhelmed, less reactive, more steady inside yourself. You’ve tried to change on your own, but old patterns keep pulling you back. Therapy can help you shift the deeper systems that shape your life: your nervous system, your emotional habits, and the meanings you’ve carried for years. Change becomes possible when you’re supported to slow down, notice what’s happening in your body and mind, and learn new ways of responding. You don’t have to stay stuck in the same loops.
In our work, we explore your inner experience with curiosity, compassion, and honesty. Together we reshape the patterns that keep you stuck, such as your thoughts, emotions, and nervous system responses. You’ll build skills in awareness, regulation, and compassion, so life feels more workable and you feel more like yourself.
If you’re here, some part of you is ready for change. That change requires great courage and deep compassion, but you don’t have to do it alone. "Compassion is always born of understanding and understanding is the result of looking deeply" Thich Nhat Hans. Let’s begin that understanding together.
Call or Karen McIntosh now for a free 15 minute consultation - (343) 309-5635

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

Ashby House

293 MacLaren Street

Ottawa, ON K2P map

(343) 309-5635

Where we meet for walk and talk

Arboretum

Ottawa, ON K2C map

My website
I have space for new clients, in my downtown Ottawa office over a tea, on a long walk together, or virtually from your own home
I specialize in Anxiety, Relationship Issues and Parenting 
$195 Per Session, I accept insurance 
Individual one-on-one therapy 
Change is possible but not always comfortable. Take a deep breath. Therapy can help.
Karen McIntosh
Let's Connect (343) 309-5635
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

Ashby House

293 MacLaren Street

Ottawa, ON K2P map

(343) 309-5635

Where we meet for walk and talk

Arboretum

Ottawa, ON K2C map

My website
I have space for new clients, in my downtown Ottawa office over a tea, on a long walk together, or virtually from your own home
I specialize in Anxiety, Relationship Issues and Parenting 
$195 Per Session, I accept insurance 
Individual one-on-one therapy 
Change is possible but not always comfortable. Take a deep breath. Therapy can help.
Karen McIntosh

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $195

Payment Methods

American Express, e-Transfer, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

  • First Nations Health Authority
  • Medavie Blue Cross
  • Veterans Affairs Canada
"
Most private insurance plans cover psychotherapy/social work. Please inquire with your plan to be sure.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635
"
Most private insurance plans cover psychotherapy/social work. Please inquire with your plan to be sure.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Membership with Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers Karen McIntosh
"
I have had a varied life journey - economist, doula, therapist - and have almost two decades of experience working with families. I love learning and pursue additional training constantly to expand my ability to skillfully treat clients. I am a Registered Social Worker serving clients in Ontario.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635
"
I have had a varied life journey - economist, doula, therapist - and have almost two decades of experience working with families. I love learning and pursue additional training constantly to expand my ability to skillfully treat clients. I am a Registered Social Worker serving clients in Ontario.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues
  • Parenting

Expertise

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Cancer
  • Caregivers
  • Chronic Pain
  • Codependency
  • Developmental Disorders
  • Family Conflict
  • First Responders
  • Giftedness
  • Grief
  • Life Transitions
  • Men's Issues
  • Mood Disorders
  • Parents with childhood trauma
  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Spirituality
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Women's Issues
"
I work best with clients who want to dive deep, understand their problems, and develop a more compassionate inner voice. Whether your struggles stem from trauma, neurodivergence, parenting, or life stresses, you can expect my help making sense of your life and learning ways of being with yourself that will shift how you feel and experience your life.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635
"
I work best with clients who want to dive deep, understand their problems, and develop a more compassionate inner voice. Whether your struggles stem from trauma, neurodivergence, parenting, or life stresses, you can expect my help making sense of your life and learning ways of being with yourself that will shift how you feel and experience your life.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635

2 Endorsements

Maria R Schmid
Maria R Schmid
PsychologistBAMEdRPsych
I have known Karen professionally since 2005. She is the most attuned and well read therapist I know with incredible curiosity, depth, insight, compassion and skill to bring it all together with clarity.

Client Focus

Age

Adults
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals

Age

Adults
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Attachment-based
  • Buddhist Psychology; Mentalization-Based Treatment
  • Clinical Supervision and Qualified Supervisors
  • Compassion Focused
  • Existential
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Narrative
  • Positive Psychology
  • Psychodynamic
  • Relational
  • Safe and Sound Protocol/nervous system reset
  • Trauma Focused
"
Buddhist psychology lies at the heart of my work. This doesn't always mean meditation, but it informs my understanding of suffering, how to reduce suffering, and the role compassion plays in helping you be with yourself in a new way.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635
"
Buddhist psychology lies at the heart of my work. This doesn't always mean meditation, but it informs my understanding of suffering, how to reduce suffering, and the role compassion plays in helping you be with yourself in a new way.
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (343) 309-5635

Location

Primary Location

Ashby House

293 MacLaren Street

Ottawa, ON K2P

(343) 309-5635

Additional Location

Where we meet for walk and talk

Arboretum

Ottawa, ON K2C

(343) 309-5635

Nearby Areas

Towns/Cities

Postal Codes

"
I have space for new clients, in my downtown Ottawa office over a tea, on a long walk together, or virtually from your own home
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call for a free consultation now - (343) 309-5635
"
I have space for new clients, in my downtown Ottawa office over a tea, on a long walk together, or virtually from your own home
Photo of Karen McIntosh, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Karen McIntosh
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Call for a free consultation now - (343) 309-5635