Derek McIntosh
Registered Social Worker • MSW RSW
Registered Social Worker
MSW RSW
- Availability: In-person in downtown Whitby and virtually across Ontario.
- Schedule: Weekdays, evenings, and select weekends
- Languages: English
- Ages: 12+
- Individuals: $160 (50 mins)
- Families: $225 (80 mins)
- 1:1 Walk and Talk Therapy/Ecotherapy
Maybe you're here because...
- You're experiencing anxiety, depression, or low self-worth
- You're feeling disconnected from life and yourself
- You’re used to being the strong one, but it’s catching up to you
- You’re questioning who you are—or who you’re supposed to be
- Parts of you feel hidden, conflicted, or hard to make sense of
- You’re navigating addiction, loss, or something you haven’t been able to talk about
- You want to feel more grounded, more clear, and more like yourself
You don’t have to have it all figured out to get started.
Who I work with:
I support youth, young adults, adults, caregivers, and families who are navigating:
- Anxiety, depression, anger, or low self-esteem
- Addictions to substances, behaviours, or technology
- Identity shifts
- Relationship challenges, peer pressure, boundaries, or life transitions
I also support:
- Neurodiverse and 2SLGTBQIA+ individuals, caregivers, and families navigating relationship strain, family dynamics, acceptance, and change
What we'll work on together:
My approach is collaborative, flexible, and rooted in genuine connection. I believe therapy should feel like a conversation—not a checklist.
My work is rooted in:
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Relational therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Elements of mindfulness and grounding
- Experiential therapy
- Ecotherapy
- CBT, DBT, and ACT
What this can look like:
- Exploring patterns, identity, and internal conflict
- Building awareness without shame
- Having real, honest conversations that move things forward
- Optional outdoor or movement-based sessions to support grounding and connection
What this can look like:
- Exploring patterns, identity, and internal conflict
- Building awareness without shame
- Having real, honest conversations that move things forward
- Optional outdoor or movement-based sessions to support grounding and connection
You can expect a space where you can show up fully as yourself—messy, unsure, or guarded—and still feel met. My goal is simple: that you leave sessions feeling clearer, more grounded, and more like yourself. If you’re looking for a different kind of therapy session, where we can get outside the office and incorporate some gentle movement, I offer Walk and Talk Therapy/Ecotherapy sessions.
If you’re ready to do the work—or even just thinking about it—I’m here for it.
Accepting new clients!
In-person appointments are available in downtown Whitby and virtual sessions across Ontario.
What clients like about me:
Clients often say they feel at ease quickly with me. I consistently show up as a real person—grounded, relational, and easy to talk to. There’s no pressure to perform or have it all figured out. I bring a balance of compassion and honesty to my sessions, offering support while also gently challenging you when you’re ready.
Things I won’t do when you work with me:
- I won't judge, shame, or pathologize you.
- I won't force an agenda or rush your process.
- I won't sit back passively if something important needs to be said.
- I won't pretend to have all the answers—you’re the expert on your life.
How I got here:
I bring over 10 years of experience working in community, mental health, addiction, and crisis settings. Through this work, I saw how many people were struggling quietly—especially around identity, masculinity, grief, and meaning. Therapy became a way to create the kind of space I knew people needed—real, honest, and grounded in human connection.
Education:
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work
Specialized Training:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Experiential Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Trauma-informed care
- Addiction and concurrent disorders
- Crisis intervention
- Grief and loss (including suicide and overdose)
- 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care
- Ecotherapy/nature-informed practice
Specialties:
- Identity exploration (including masculinity, sexuality, and sense of self)
- Addiction (substances, technology, food, sex/porn)
- Complex trauma
- Grief and loss
- Family dynamics and relationship challenges
- Spirituality and existential questions
Accepting new clients!
In-person appointments are available in downtown Whitby and virtual sessions across Ontario.
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