GOKULRAJ RAJAKUMAR
SCARBOROUGH,Ontario
Summary
Currently a Field Placement Student at Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, I am gaining hands-on experience in mental health and addiction support by engaging with diverse communities, facilitating programs for youth and seniors, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. With a background in Dentistry, I have provided comprehensive care to patients, including addiction counseling for tobacco cessation and promoting overall well-being. My passion for helping individuals navigate their mental health and addiction challenges drives my future goal to work as a dedicated mental health worker, contributing to building a healthier and more supportive community.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Field Placement Student
Catholic Crosscultural Services
Scarborough,, Ontario
09.2024 - Current
- Collaborate with youth workers to visit Cedarbrae School, engaging with students to address mental health concerns and provide support.
- Facilitate English Conversation Circles for newcomers to enhance language skills and promote social integration.
- Shadow settlement workers to assist families with special needs children, helping them navigate settlement processes and access appropriate resources.
- Assist mental health workers from CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) in organizing mental health programs and workshops for the community.
- Conduct client intake and assessment to determine mental health and addiction support needs.
- Provide documentation assistance, referrals, and advocacy for clients seeking mental health and addiction services.
- Help facilitate workshops, information sessions, and community outreach activities.
- Organize volunteer skill-building days, featuring presentations on conflict resolution, LinkedIn usage for employment, and resume correction.
- Facilitate 'Tea and Chat' sessions for seniors, gaining experience in informal group counseling techniques, such as the Empty Chair technique and other activities.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams to address complex mental health and addiction cases, ensuring culturally sensitive, client-centered care.
- Develop skills in youth mental health, addiction services, and settlement support in a diverse, cross-cultural setting.
Dentist
Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital, Pulse Specialty Dental Clinic, Government Dental College.
Thrissur, Kerala
01.2014 - 12.2023
- Provided comprehensive mental health support to clients of all ages, conducting assessments, counseling, and referrals as part of a holistic approach to mental well-being.
- Delivered tobacco cessation counseling to 700-800 clients struggling with addiction, leveraging motivational interviewing and behavioral strategies learned from experience in patient care.
- Developed individualized treatment plans for clients with mental health and addiction challenges, focusing on their unique needs and promoting overall well-being.
- Educated clients on mental health practices and coping strategies to enhance emotional resilience and manage mental health symptoms.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including mental health workers, addiction counselors, and settlement workers, to deliver comprehensive client care.
- Worked with families and caregivers to develop support plans tailored to the needs of youth and children facing mental health challenges.
- Assisted in organizing and facilitating mental health programs, promoting wellness and mental health awareness within the community.
- Proficient in using modern mental health technology and case management systems, ensuring accurate and efficient client documentation and care coordination.
Education
Master of Dental Surgery - Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
Kerala University of Health Sciences
Kerala, India05-2018
Bachelor of Dental Surgery - Dentistry
The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
Chennai, India12-2013
Post Graduate Certificate - Addiction And Mental Health
Humber Institute of Technology And Advanced Learning
Toronto, ONSkills
- Client Intake and Assessment
- Counseling and Support
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Substance use and harm reduction
- Program Facilitation
- Youth Engagement
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Client Education
- Community Outreach
- Group Counseling
- Fundraising
- Tobacco Cessation Counseling
- Public Speaking and Facilitation
Affiliations
Substance Use and Harm Reduction
- Delivered a group presentation on "Cannabis and Brain Effects" to enhance understanding of substance-related neurological impacts
Community Services
- Conducted and presented a comprehensive analysis of mental health resources available in North York for a specific case study
- Developed a funding proposal for caregiver support initiatives as part of a community capacity building project
Counseling Practice
- Completed 15 supervised peer counseling sessions, honing interpersonal and therapeutic skills
- Conducted two individual counseling sessions, applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings
- Authored detailed case reports, presented clinical cases, and made appropriate community service referrals
Group Facilitation
- Led a group counseling session focused on panic disorder management, demonstrating ability to guide therapeutic discussions
Advanced Counseling Techniques
- Participated in classroom simulations of various therapeutic approaches, including:Motivational interviewing
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness practices
Rapport building techniques
Accomplishments
- Finished two semester of the Addiction and Mental Health program at Humber College with a GPA of 90.8% and 89.6%.
- Conducted an extensive research project during postgraduation, titled "A Comparative Evaluation of Dentinal Microcracks Formation after Root Canal Preparation with Rotary and Reciprocating File Systems."
Certification
- Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License.
- Certificate in First Aid/CPR and CPI.
- Computer Literacy with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
Languages
Tamil
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Malayalam
Advanced (C1)
C1
Telugu
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Hindi
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Volunteer Experience
- Dental Outreach Volunteer
- Youth Mentor at a Homeless Shelter
- Life Skills Workshop Facilitator
- Health Education Volunteer
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Field Placement Student
Catholic Crosscultural Services
09.2024 - Current
Dentist
Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital, Pulse Specialty Dental Clinic, Government Dental College.
01.2014 - 12.2023
Master of Dental Surgery - Conservative Dentistry And Endodontics
Kerala University of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Dental Surgery - Dentistry
The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
Post Graduate Certificate - Addiction And Mental Health
Humber Institute of Technology And Advanced Learning
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