31 Applications: PSYC100 Alumni in Occupational Therapy
By Sydney Grant, Riley J.T. Bonar, and Meghan E. Norris
In this Applications section, we are pleased to introduce you to a PSYC100 alumnus (and former TA!) whose work is infused with the importance of both understanding the biology of the brain, and the health of the environment.
Introducing, Sydney Grant!
Sydney Grant is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who graduated from Queen’s in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology! Sydney realized that she wanted to pursue a career in occupational therapy after personal interactions with an occupational therapist who was supporting a family member at the time. That experience showed Sydney the unique impact OTs have in helping individuals improve their daily functioning while supporting their mental health. It inspired Sydney to combine her passion for psychology with a practical, functional approach to helping others build meaningful, independent lives. A typical day in the life of a community mental health occupational therapist is dynamic and client centered. The day might include meeting with clients in their homes or in the community, supporting them to build skills for daily living, establish meaningful routines, and work toward personal goals such as returning to school, employment, or independent living. As an occupational therapist, Sydney collaborates with other healthcare professionals, advocates for clients, and uses a strengths-based, recovery-oriented approach to help individuals participate more fully in the activities that matter most to them.
Psychological science is central to Sydney’s day-to-day work as an occupational therapist in community mental health. It guides her understanding of clients’ emotions, behaviours, and motivations, helping Sydney build strong therapeutic relationships and develop individualized interventions. Sydney applies psychological principles to support clients in managing mental health challenges, developing coping strategies, establishing meaningful routines, and increasing participation in everyday activities. By combining psychological knowledge with a functional, occupation-based approach, Sydney can help clients achieve greater independence and improve their overall quality of life.
By taking PSYC 100, you join a vast community that contains members who have graduated and had a variety of experiences! We caught up with Sydney and asked what her favourite memory from PSYC 100 was. Sydney told us that her favourite memory of PSYC100 was the early morning lecture jams, where students would listen to music before class began. It created a welcoming and energetic atmosphere that made those early mornings something to look forward to. It helped build a sense of community among students and made the lecture hall feel more connected and engaging before the start of a lecture. Sydney also offered some advice about careers to students currently taking PSYC 100 and said that it is important to get lots of practical experience! Join clubs on campus, volunteer on crisis/befriending lines, shadow professionals etc., and attend career fairs to learn about the plethora of opportunities that awaits psychology graduates.
If you are interested in learning more about what Sydney does for a living, you can check out the website for occupational therapists and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy website!
References:
Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Occupational therapists. https://osot.on.ca/occupational-therapists/
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. https://caot.ca/index.html
How to cite this resource:
Grant, S., Bonar, R.J.T., & Norris, M.E. (2026). Applications: PSYC100 Alumni in Occupational Therapy. In PSYC 100: Principles of psychology. eCampusOntario. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/testbookje/chapter/applications-psyc100-alumni-in-occupational-therapy/
