Raissa Bhanji
Montreal,Canada
Summary
Occupational Therapist with experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community-based practice. I bring a compassionate, client-centered approach grounded in clinical training and frontline support work, with a strong commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and empowering diverse populations.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Reintegration Cooking Program Worker
Chez Doris
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Ran a reintegration program for women experiencing homelessness, teaching kitchen skills, food sustainability, and nutrition, alongside job-readiness skills (scheduling, hygiene, teamwork, conflict management)
- Led an Inuit collective kitchen where Indigenous women prepared traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients
- Served as lead cook of kitchen team making menus and providing daily meals to clients
- Additional culinary experience as a line cook (Feb 2023 – May '24)
Schizophrenia & Early Psychosis Intern
Allan Memorial Institute
10.2022 - 12.2022
- Fieldwork 4 of masters program, functioned as an independent OT with minimal supervisor support across two psychosis clinics (schizophrenia and early psychosis)
- Used standardized and non-standardized assessments to set goals and design intervention plans for individual sessions
- Planned and led therapeutic groups (cooking, art, literature, community outings) to build skills, engagement, and regulation
Outpatient Mental Health Intern
Montreal General Hospital
01.2022 - 03.2022
- Fieldwork 3 of Masters Program
- Planned and conducted individual and group interventions in a transitional day program (inpatient to outpatient)
- Served mixed-diagnosis mental health clients (mood disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, depression, anxiety) to promote daily life independence
Accessible Daycare Intern
Foundation Papillon
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Fieldwork 2 of Masters Program; role emerging (minimal supervising, supervisor present 1-2 days/week) emphasis on project creation targeting needs of organization
- Planned and provided OT interventions for children ages 1–5 with mixed diagnoses (e.g., autism, paraplegia) with weekly supervisory support
- Created and delivered a sustainable educator training program (seminar + handouts) on safe, effective strategies for working with children with special needs
School-based Pediatrics Intern
Summit School
04.2021 - 05.2021
- Fieldwork 1 of Masters Program
- Assessed, planned, and provided group and individual interventions to students with autism (ages 5–21) to improve classroom participation
- Prepared and presented an in-depth case study of a therapeutic trajectory for a student with autism
- Researched and presented the topic of interoception to the school OTs and staff; applied sensory integration approaches for self-regulation
OT Shadowing
Various Organizations
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Pediatric OT: Green Chimneys School — observed nature-based and sensory integration approaches
- Hand Therapy: Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy — observed orthopedic rehab and splinting principles
- Geriatric OT: The Pines at Poughkeepsie — observed interventions addressing cognition, mobility, and ADLs
Children's Services Intern
Grace Smith House
2013 - 2018
- Coordinated and conducted support groups and one-to-one sessions for children of domestic violence survivors using trauma-informed, play-based approaches,
- Supported survivors through advocacy and accompaniment in family court
- Initiated and led a weekly tutoring program
- Attended training workshops on domestic abuse
Youth Art Camp Counselor
Mill Street Loft
2013 - 2018
- Guided youth through inclusive arts programming and mentorship for a variety of age groups (from 5-13) throughout 5 summers ( volunteer counselor 2013-2015, paid lead counselor 2016-2018)
- Developed strong communication skills while coordinating with other counselors on scheduling and logistics.
Education
MScA - Occupational Therapy (OT)
McGill University
Montreal, QC12.2022
BA - Psychology; Minor: Biology
McGill University
Montreal, QC04.2020
Certification
- Registered Occupational Therapist — College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), since 2023-09
- Registered Occupational Therapist — Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec (OEQ), since 2025-07
Community Service
- Common Horizons, Social Events & Accessibility Coordinator, Montreal, QC, 2024, Present, :Coordinated accessible, inclusive community events; recruited diverse volunteers; adapted activities/spaces to varied accessibility needs; built partnerships to advance environmental awareness and participation
- Community Garden Youth Program Volunteer: Serekunda, The Gambia, Designed a community garden in an underserved area; led activity classes for children on agriculture; created take-home food opportunities, Repurposed and painted old tires with children for planters to beautify the garden space
- Peace by Peace, Conflict Resolution Classroom Instructor, Montreal, QC, 2018-09, 2018-12, Created and taught a conflict-resolution curriculum in a Grade 3 classroom identified for behavioral and bullying concerns
- Spectrum Productions, Special Needs Camp Counselor, Montreal, QC, Taught filmmaking to children with autism as a medium for self-expression and social skills
- Homework Zone, Student Mentor, Montreal, QC, Mentored an elementary student academically and socially; fostered confidence, routines, and engagement
- Orphanage Volunteer & English Teacher, Arusha & Kigoma, Tanzania, 2018-05, 2018-07, Taught English, provided meals, and led activity groups across three orphanages (including participation in building projects) and in a classroom for children with disabilities
Timeline
Reintegration Cooking Program Worker
Chez Doris
06.2023 - 05.2024
Schizophrenia & Early Psychosis Intern
Allan Memorial Institute
10.2022 - 12.2022
Outpatient Mental Health Intern
Montreal General Hospital
01.2022 - 03.2022
Accessible Daycare Intern
Foundation Papillon
05.2021 - 09.2021
School-based Pediatrics Intern
Summit School
04.2021 - 05.2021
OT Shadowing
Various Organizations
06.2019 - 08.2019
BA - Psychology; Minor: Biology
McGill University
Children's Services Intern
Grace Smith House
2013 - 2018
Youth Art Camp Counselor
Mill Street Loft
2013 - 2018
MScA - Occupational Therapy (OT)
McGill University
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