“Back yourself”: Kaitlyn’s first year as a graduate OT

What’s it actually like to start your therapy career as an OT? Kaitlyn Halls, a recent graduate at our Mirrabooka office, has a few things to say about that.

Kaitlyn had already spent time at the Therapy Focus Mirrabooka office before she ever joined the team. Her student placement there gave her a preview of the culture, the energy, the people, and the way the Mirrabooka team operated. When she accepted her graduate role in February 2025, she walked in knowing what to expect.

What still surprised her was how much she was embraced from day one.

A team that actually has your back

Ask Kaitlyn to describe the Mirrabooka team and the words come quickly: supportive, high-energy, genuine.

“The culture here is unlike anything I expected. Everyone has everyone’s back. There’s always someone to debrief with, always someone to check in with.

The energy is genuinely high and yes, the memes scattered around the office, sweet treats, strawberry matcha and bubble tea are a part of it too.”

It’s the kind of place that you want to get up and go to work in the morning. And that you’re glad that you’re a part of it.”

The realities of graduate life

Working with families navigating complex circumstances, managing caregiver burnout, and learning to protect her own wellbeing have all been part of Kaitlyn’s first year.

“We meet families where they are at,” she says.

“Caregiver burnout is real. Compassion fatigue is real. Learning to prioritise your own wellbeing while showing up fully for your clients is something you do need to work on.”

The graduate program at Therapy Focus helped her navigate these moments. Regular check-ins, micro-training sessions, and a steady build of skills and caseloads across the first six months gave her the support needed to grow as both a therapist and someone doing genuinely demanding work.

The fear she had to push through

Kaitlyn’s biggest fear starting out? That she didn’t have all the answers.

“I was afraid of things not going to plan when I started. But you realise very quickly, having a perfect plan doesn’t matter if you can’t pivot when the session goes in a different direction. And learning to pivot, that’s the actual skill.”

It’s a lesson that came through experience, supported by a team that gave her the space to learn without the fear of getting it wrong.

If Kaitlyn could go back and give herself one piece of advice before starting, it’s this:

“It’s ok not to have all of the answers in the first six months. You’re always going to be learning and your confidence will continue to grow…..Back yourself!”

A graduate year worth having

Kaitlyn is over a year into her OT career. She was drawn to occupational therapy because of its hands-on nature and the real connection it builds with people. Therapy Focus has delivered on both for her.

“I’ve been supported to grow into my passions,” she says. “The opportunities are here. You just have to be willing to take them.”