Poonam Dhaliwal
Occupational Therapist @Higher Level Occupational Therapy
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WORK HISTORY
Occupational Therapist @Higher Level Occupational Therapy
Calgary, AB, CA
As a dedicated Occupational Therapist with Higher Level OT, I specialize in comprehensive assessments and tailored treatment plans, focusing on mental health support and cognitive rehabilitation. My role involves writing detailed reports and making evidence-based recommendations for treatments, equipment, and home modifications, particularly for clients associated with the Workers\' Compensation Board and car insurance claims. I also perform cognitive and mental health screenings, referring clients to specialized professionals as needed.My practice is enhanced by certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which I integrate with a holistic approach to health that emphasizes the interconnectedness of mindset, physical health, and positive energy.One of my notable achievements includes traveling to Nunavut to conduct assessments and provide recommendations in remote communities. Separately, my effective trauma work has earned commendations from psychologists, leading to specific referrals seeking my expertise as an OT. While I am relatively new to private practice, my commitment to learning and specialization in mental health and return-to-work interventions drives my daily work. I am eager to continue growing within this field and contributing positively to the lives of those I work with.
EDUCATION
University of Alberta
Master of Science - MS, Occupational Therapy/Therapist
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Certificate, Fashion Merchandising
Simon Fraser University
Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology, Kinesiology
Killarney Secondary School
High School, general
SKILLS
ABOUT POONAM DHALIWAL
I’m an Occupational Therapist, business owner, and advocate for changing how we approach mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.My OT journey began at a Behaviour Unit in long-term care, where I supported clients with complex illnesses and behavioural challenges. I designed and led programs that helped people rediscover structure, purpose, and quality of life, learning firsthand how connection, environment, and activity can transform healing.As I moved into community mental health and return-to-work rehabilitation, I saw how reactive our system had become, stepping in only once people had already burnt out. I wanted to change that. That’s why I co-founded Kawa Health, a Virtual Calgary-based occupational therapy practice that brings prevention to the forefront of care.At Kawa Health, we help adults and seniors rebuild balance through 1:1 treatment, group programs, and corporate wellness workshops. Our team supports individuals through burnout, insomnia, trauma, postpartum adjustment, perimenopause, and major life transitions, blending evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, ACT, and CBT-I with a holistic understanding of movement, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation.My lifelong background in sports deeply shapes how I practice. I believe movement is medicine, not just for the body, but for the mind. Whether through somatic tools, energy awareness, or functional activity, I aim to help people reconnect with themselves and their capacity to thrive.Through WorkWell by Kawa Health, we also partner with organizations to design preventive wellness programs that teach employees to set boundaries, regulate stress, and protect their well-being before burnout becomes disability leave.For me, occupational therapy is more than a profession, it’s a way of helping people come home to themselves. My mission is to redefine OT as proactive, empowering, and rooted in the belief that function, health, and meaning belong to everyone.
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