RAJ KIRAN MANTHAZHA KRISHNAKUMAR
Lindsay,ON
Summary
An aspiring Registered Social Worker under OCASSW registration reg no 854349 with four years of diverse experience in clinical practice, mental health, disability services, community development, migration, public health, and child and youth homelessness. Proficient in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and grief therapy. Skilled in comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, and effective case management to support clients in achieving their goals. Advocates for individuals and families by understanding the multifaceted influences on health. Committed to continuous professional development and promoting social justice.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CHILD AND YOUTH COUNSELOR I
Starling Community Services (Lutherwood)
Kitchener, Canada
07.2024 - Current
- Conducted psychosocial assessments, intake interviews, and crisis intervention sessions.
- Conduct substance use, risk, and suicide assessments to explore the relationship between substance use, mental health, and client well-being, determining needs, risk levels, and priorities.
- Complete various screening tools (e.g., HEADS ED, YAP, or Suicide Risk Assessment) to determine appropriate next steps in client care
- Collaborate with clients, caregivers, and the treatment team to develop and support individualized treatment goals and intervention plans, including proactive crisis management service plans utilizing family strengths and community resources
- Provide evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy to clients in individual, group, and family settings, both in the office and community
- Educate clients on treatment options, methods, and techniques to promote informed decision-making
- Utilize evidence-informed practices, including but not limited to Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed approaches, Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Assisted families in understanding the dynamics of family relationships and how they affect their children's behavior.
- Collaborated with other professionals including school personnel, medical providers, social workers, probation officers, court systems. to coordinate services for clients..
- Maintained accurate records of client progress through documentation of goals achieved or modified due to changing circumstances.
CRISIS RESPITE WORKER
Thresholds Homes& Supports
Kitchener, Canada
01.2024 - Current
- Provided crisis intervention and supportive counseling using de-escalation techniques and Applied Suicide Intervention Training (ASSIST) for individuals with mental health challenges
- Conducted risk assessments and assisted individuals in developing coping skills to manage stress and crises effectively
- Supported personal goals in education, volunteerism, and employment, facilitating access to community resources and recreational activities
- Assisted individuals in maintaining stable housing by teaching household maintenance skills and promoting conflict resolution in shared living situations
- Developed life skills tailored to individual needs, focusing on nutrition, meal preparation, budgeting, decision-making, and personal care management
- Collaborated with individuals to review and evaluate recovery plans, incorporating motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques
- Maintained accurate documentation of services provided and communicated individual progress to team members
- Participated in relevant staff and supervision meetings to contribute to team goals and program development
- Volunteered for on-call support during non-working hours to ensure continuity of care
DIRECT SUPPORT WORKER
KW Habilitation
Kitchener, Canada
01.2024 - Current
- Provide respectful and supportive personal care to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, ensuring their dignity and comfort
- Promote and enhance individual's skills and abilities through training and education for personal growth, focusing on their unique needs related to intellectual disabilities and autism
- Support informed decision-making while respecting personal choices and facilitate positive relationships between individuals, their families, and friends.
- Support individualized financial routines according to agency policies and maintain accurate financial records
- Empower individuals to take responsibility for their health through education and instruction, especially regarding their specific medical needs
- Administer medication and provide healthcare treatments according to KW Habilitation's medication policies
- Address medical, physical, and psychological needs, assisting with appointments as required, particularly for those with complex care needs
- Respond to health emergencies and follow established procedures
- Prepare risk assessments to identify potential challenges and develop strategies for mitigating risks
- Develop behavior support plans tailored to individual needs, ensuring they are aligned with best practices
YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER(Part Time)
OneRoof Youth Services
Kitchener, Canada
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Proficient in implementing harm reduction strategies, offering education and support services to minimize risks associated with substance use, preventing overdoses, and reducing harm effectively
- Experienced in managing HIFIS and Naloxone administration, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals in need
- Supervised youths obtaining services, ensuring their needs were met effectively and their progress tracked
- Applied knowledge of concurrent disorders and mental health resources to assist youths in identifying treatment options and accessing appropriate resources
- Regularly conduct wellness checks, actively monitoring and maintaining the health status of tenants to ensure their well-being and safety
- Conduct intake interviews, assess needs, and determine eligibility for emergency shelter services
- Collaborate with external agencies and community resources to facilitate referrals for housing and support services
- Proficient in crisis intervention and utilizes de-escalation strategies to offer immediate support and guidance to individuals facing challenging situations, ensuring a safe and secure environment within the shelter
FIELD MOBILIZER
Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development
Kerala, India
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Spearheaded outreach events and publicity campaigns to raise awareness about the National Helpline and the State Facilitation Centre, highlighting their pivotal roles in addressing rights violations encountered by informal sector workers
- Managed the resolution process for disputes registered with the center via the National Helpline, overseeing mediation and coordinating legal actions for timely resolutions
- Organized routine meetings and workshops to enhance migrant workers' legal literacy, offering insights into social security measures, government schemes, and entitlements
- Fostered rapport and mobilization within various migrant worker groups by conducting regular visits,door to door campaigns, community mobilization strategies and follow-ups to industrial areas, worksites, and workers' settlements, ensuring continuous engagement and support.
RESEARCH OFFICER
Indian Institute of Health Management and Research
Bangalore, India
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Led project management activities, including the development of tools, identification, and training of field investigators, and coordination of data collection efforts
- Conducted various data collection methods, such as key informant interviews (KIIs), in- depth interviews with government stakeholders, hospital infrastructure reviews, patient feedback, and operational assessments following NQAS guidelines
- Facilitated focused group discussions and coordinated the analysis and interpretation of collected data
- Played a key role in producing detailed reports by synthesizing data findings and providing actionable recommendations based on research outcomes
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development
Kerala, India
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Handled the helpline to provide wide range of information and addressed grievances of migrant workers in Kerala
- Provided accurate and timely information to migrants and refugees regarding available resources, legal processes, and social services
- Managed caseloads by conducting assessments, developing care plans, and ensuring access to shelter, healthcare, education, and employment resources
- Coordinated vaccination camps and Relief campaigns for interstate migrant worker during the COVID 19
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records and documentation in compliance with ethical and legal standards
- Collaborated with governmental agencies, NGOs, and local authorities to advocate for policy changes and enhance support structures for migrants and refugees
Education
Post Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Substance Use -
Conestoga College, Brantford Campus
Kitchener, CA10.2024
Post Graduate Certificate in Management in Community Services -
Conestoga College, Doon Campus
Kitchener, CA04.2024
Master of Social Work - Medical and Psychiatry
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady
Kerala, IND05.2020
Bachelor of Social Work -
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
Kerala, IND05.2018
Skills
- Suicide Prevention
- Mental Status Examination (MSE)
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Family Support
- Child Advocacy
- Risk Assessment
- Life Skills Development
- Treatment and Discharge Planning
- Intervention Planning
- Patient-centered care
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Resource Navigation
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Capacity Building
- Policy Planning
- Client Needs Assessment
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Grief and bereavement counseling
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
- Clinical Supervision
- Case Documentation
- Family therapy
- Biopsychosocial Assessments
- Strengths-based solution-focused therapy
- Case Management and Case works
- Community Integration & Outreach
Certification
- Applied Suicide intervention skills Training (ASSIST)
- NVCI-nonviolent Crisis intervention
- Crisis intervention Training( CIT)
- Ontario Common Assessment of Need(OCAN)
- CPR, First Aid and Basic Life Support
- Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS)
- Emergency Shelter Worker Training
- Ontario Worker Health and Safety Awareness
- Qualified UGC NET - Qualified Assistant Professor 2020
Affiliations
- CO-OP Placement at oneRoof Youth Services,Kitchener,Canada -2024
- Field Investigator at Centre for Social-economic & Environment Studies -2021
- Life Skill Trainer at District Child Protection Unit,Kerala,India-2020
- Psycho-Social counsellor (COVID 19 Rapid response Team)at District Mental Health Ernakulam-2020
- Medical Social Worker at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Karnataka-2020
- Psychiatric Social Work at Louis Mount Hospital, Wayanad, Kerala-2019
- Psychiatric Social Worker at Palluruthy Relief Settlement, Kerala-2019
- Social Worker at Navjeevan Trust Rajkot, Gujarat -2018
- Social Worker at Cochin Service Society, Kochi, Kerala-2016
- Social Worker at Rajagiri Outreach Kalamassery, Kerala-2016
Timeline
CHILD AND YOUTH COUNSELOR I
Starling Community Services (Lutherwood)
07.2024 - Current
CRISIS RESPITE WORKER
Thresholds Homes& Supports
01.2024 - Current
DIRECT SUPPORT WORKER
KW Habilitation
01.2024 - Current
YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER(Part Time)
OneRoof Youth Services
09.2023 - 09.2024
RESEARCH OFFICER
Indian Institute of Health Management and Research
07.2022 - 01.2023
FIELD MOBILIZER
Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development
02.2022 - 08.2023
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development
03.2021 - 06.2022
Post Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Substance Use -
Conestoga College, Brantford Campus
Post Graduate Certificate in Management in Community Services -
Conestoga College, Doon Campus
Master of Social Work - Medical and Psychiatry
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady
Bachelor of Social Work -
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
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