1. Tell us who you are in one sentence.

I am a persevering, organized, extroverted, cheerful, and sometimes rebellious person who likes to challenge the status quo.

2. How do you make youth feel heard?

I start by explaining to the youth I meet that they are on the same level as me when we work together. I always tell them that I am the expert in occupational therapy, but they are the experts in their lives, and I need that expertise to help them achieve their goals.

3. Why did you become an occupational therapist?

In all honesty, I pursued occupational therapy in university since it was my second choice after medicine (I didn’t get accepted of course). However, I was convinced that it was the right program for me after the first week when I realized how much of a positive impact I was going to be able to have on my clients, especially in terms of their functioning.

4. What thing would you like to achieve more than anything in your work in the future?

I would like to have a concrete impact on access to mental health services for young people and also on the quality of services in my CIUSSS. I’m not sure what that might look like, but I want to innovate and think outside the box.

5. What would you say to someone who wants to work in mental health?

I would say that the most important thing is to learn to take care of yourself and set boundaries in your professional and personal life. I believe that people who choose to work in mental health are often altruistic and think of others before themselves and that you must learn to take care of yourself in order to be there for others.

6. Skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding?

I don’t know if I’m allowed, but I would say NONE! I’m much more into snowshoeing and hiking in the winter. 

7. Why are you interested in resilience?

Since university, I have been convinced of the importance of mental health promotion/prevention, and I believe that building resilience is an integral part of that. It’s also a super interesting area in occupational therapy since research shows us that participation in intentional activities like sports and meditation helps you become more resilient.