Our Team

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" - Helen Keller

Occupational Therapy

ELIAS SALAME

Occupational Therapist – OT CLINICAL LEAD

Mississauga

Elias holds a BSc in Occupational Therapy since 2004 from the Faculty of Public Health and a MSc in Neuropsychology since 2018 from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, both at the Lebanese University. He is certified in Sensory Integration from the University of Southern California, USA. He is also certified in the early childhood education curriculum High/Scope and in Cortical Visual Impairment, both from the USA as well. He launched his career in 2004, in Kuwait, working in Paediatric Neurology initially at the Conductive Rehabilitation Institution, before moving to Hope School, where he was Lead Occupational Therapist for five years. He also worked in Community Based Rehabilitation with Palestinian and Syrian refugees, and his private practice furthermore covers adult neurology and elderly. Before moving to Canada, he was the Senior Occupational Therapist at the American Special Kids Clinic at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, AUBMC. Throughout his 18 years of experience, he helped create, establish, and organize several OT departments, created and furnished various sensory rooms, attended numerous workshops, and participated as a speaker in national and international conferences. He has published one article about Screen Exposure and Autism and participated in another one about adaptation of RITA-T (Rapid Interactive Screening Test for Autism in Toddlers) for the Lebanese population. Between 2012 and 2021, he held the position of General Secretary of the Lebanese Occupational Therapy Association (LOTA) and is presently the WFOT delegate member of the Lebanese Occupational Therapists Syndicate (LOTS). Get to know Elias:

If Elias could teleport to anywhere in the world, he would teleport to Thailand.
If Elias were to eat only one food for the rest of his life, he would eat Sushi.
If Elias were to be an animal, he would be a bird so he could fly!

Rima Toop

Occupational Therapist

Mississauga & Burlington

Rima’s passion for working with children and youth emerged from her early roles as a dance class assistant, camp counselor and cooking school instructor. With a background in competitive dance, Rima pursued a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph. Intrigued by the “non-traditional” and holistic perspective of Occupational Therapy, she furthered her education with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.

During her academic journey, Rima strengthened her skills in paediatric care through a clinical placement at SickKids Hospital in the neurology, neurosurgery and trauma unit. Here, she learned to use play as a form of assessment and intervention. She also gained international experience at an intensive neurorehabilitation centre in Madrid, Spain, working with individuals of all ages and integrating traditional therapy techniques with evidence-based technology.

Throughout her clinical placements, Rima has gained knowledge in wheelchair seating and positioning, feeding, upper extremity neuromotor interventions, and guided discovery methods such as the CO-OP approach. Drawing on her two years of experience as a personal trainer and fitness coach, she also brings a solid understanding of biomechanics to her practice, helping individuals work towards their personal goals.

Rima believes in using a strength-based approach to build motivation and self-efficacy in clients. One of the many reasons Rima loves occupational therapy is because it emphasizes that well being can be achieved through small, meaningful steps. As often has been said, the little things are really the big things!

Rima is committed to providing high-quality, family-centred care. She is a lifelong learner who looks forward to continually expanding her knowledge and making a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she serves at Butterfly Paediatric Therapy.

A few fun facts about Rima:

Rima finds joy in cooking and unwinding with rom-coms during quality time with friends.
Her ultimate treat for a lifetime? Dairy Milk fruit and nut chocolate bars would be her top pick.
While no longer engaged in competitive dancing, Rima indulges her dance itch with impromptu sessions while house cleaning.

KIMBERLY HOLLI

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Mississauga & Burlington

Kimberly is a dynamic and vibrant therapy assistant who strives to optimize and empower children and youth through meaningful and family centered activities and skill acquisition.

Kimberly received her Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant diploma from Centennial College after completing her undergraduate degree in International Relations and History with a minor in Political Science from York University, Glendon Campus. After working at a few summer camps for children with complex neurological conditions, Kimberly knew she had to pivot away from where her undergrad studies had taken her and find a way to work with children and their families full-time in opportunities that enables life-enhancing skills, self-esteem, confidence and above all, fun!

Kimberly dove headfirst into her passion and worked for the Geneva Centre for Autism in their Group Services stream supporting children, youth and adults with Autism. Kimberly had the opportunity to have clinical therapy assistant placements in a variety of settings including hospitals, fast-paced clinics, school-based care and children treatment centers around the GTA. In her spare time, you can find Kimberly exploring the great outdoors, visiting the Toronto Zoo any time she can get; spending time at her local Orange Theory Fitness classes and searching the world for the next best donuts!

Taryn Kieller

Occupational Therapist

Mississauga & Burlington

Taryn is a compassionate and collaborative Occupational Therapist excited to join the Butterfly Paediatric Therapy team!

Taryn completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph, followed by a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate degree, Taryn volunteered as a First Responder and developed a passion for mental health advocacy. Taryn was drawn to Occupational Therapy as it allows her to combine her interests in science, mental health, and physical wellness – helping people bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be!

Taryn has always enjoyed working with children, spending many memorable summers as a camp counsellor and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. During her Master’s degree, Taryn strengthened her skills in paediatric care through clinical placements at ErinoakKids in Early Development and School-Based Rehabilitation Services, and at Davis Occupational Therapy in Paediatric Nature-Based Therapy. Through these placements, Taryn gained experience supporting children and youth with fine motor and gross motor development, emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, and feeding.

As a neurodivergent person, Taryn strongly believes in using strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches with children and their families. She is passionate about creating safe spaces where kids, teens, and adults can show up authentically, engage in meaningful activities, and build social connections. Taryn has also been a part of neurodiversity-affirming research on autistic burnout, inertia, meltdown, and shutdown (BIMS), including co-creating the website www.bimslab.ca!

In her free time, Taryn loves hiking, camping, rock climbing, and spending time with her golden retriever, Promise.

A few fun facts about Taryn:

In between her undergrad and master’s degree, Taryn worked at a café as a
baker.
If Taryn were an animal, she would be an otter because they collect rocks and
hold hands with other otters when they sleep!
If Taryn could only eat one food for the rest of her life, it would be sweet potato
fries.

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