Two perspectives, one culture: what it really feels like to grow

We sat down with Speech Pathologist Caitlin Hetebry and Martin Waller, Team Leader and Dietitian, to hear what life at Therapy Focus looks like from two very different points in a career.

Not everyone arrives at their career in a straight line. Caitlin started as a therapy assistant before graduating as a Speech Pathologist. Martin spent 15 years in hospitality before going back to University in his 30s and finding his way into dietetics and eventually, into the best job he’s ever had. 

Different paths. Different roles. But both will tell you the same thing. They joined a place that supports them, wherever they are and guides them to where they want to go.

Caitlin’s story: from therapy assistant to speechie 

Caitlin’s connection with Therapy Focus didn’t begin when she graduated. It started long before that, as a therapy assistant working alongside physiotherapists at the Mirrabooka office. 

“I got to see the multidisciplinary side of things early on,” she says. “Working across different disciplines, seeing how teams collaborate — that’s what drew me in and made me want to stay.” 

When Caitlin completed her degree and moved into her Speech Pathologist role, she already understood the culture. But she says she was still surprised by just how welcoming the transition felt. 

“I knew the environment, but I was genuinely surprised by how supportive everyone was. Going through the grad program alongside other new graduates — not feeling like you’re doing it alone — made a real difference.”

The training structure stood out to her too. Internal training sessions, staggered thoughtfully across her first year, gave her room to absorb and apply new skills without feeling overwhelmed. Alongside those, she has had access to more formal external training opportunities in areas she is passionate about — including sensory processing, dysphagia and AAC. 

The moment it all clicked 

One memory stands out above the rest for Caitlin. 

She was supporting a customer to find a communication device that worked for them. The family was on board, but Dad wasn’t convinced — not straight away. 

“After a couple of months, we got Dad on board with the device. Seeing that shift, seeing the family embrace it together — that’s the kind of moment you don’t forget.”

It’s a reminder of what the work is really about: not just the therapy itself, but the relationships built along the way. For Caitlin, getting to know families over time, celebrating milestones with them, is one of the most rewarding parts of the role. 

“The team culture here makes all of that possible,” she says. “You can ask a question and someone will always help.” 

Martin’s story: a second career, and a place to truly grow 

Martin didn’t follow a conventional path into health. After 15 years working in hospitality, he went back to University and retrained as a Dietitian. He spent a year in private practice before joining Therapy Focus in late 2018 — arriving with just one year of professional experience behind him. 

Seven years later, he is a Team Leader, has worked across six different teams, and describes the role as the best job he has ever had.

“The learning journey here is real. You’re supported to grow — not just in your clinical role, but as a leader and as a person. The connections here is what makes me stay.”

Martin’s path into leadership wasn’t something he necessarily planned for. But the opportunity was there, and Therapy Focus backed him to take it. He has now been a Team Leader for nearly three and a half years, and in that time has guided therapists at all stages of their careers — including Caitlin. 

What a team leader sees 

When Martin first worked with Caitlin, he noticed something straight away. 

“Enthusiasm in spades. There were challenges along the way — there always are — but Caitlin has always been keen to back herself and to do right by her customers. She’s been open to guidance and very willing to grow.”

That combination — curiosity, openness, and a genuine commitment to the people they support — is exactly what Martin looks for in the therapists he leads. And it’s something he sees replicated across Therapy Focus more broadly. 

“What I love about this organisation is the sheer breadth of opportunity,” he says. “I’ve had the chance to lead across multiple teams, to learn from people in completely different disciplines, and to keep developing. That opportunity is there for as long as you want it.” 

A multi-disciplinary difference 

One thread that runs through both Caitlin and Martin’s stories is the value of working alongside people from different therapy backgrounds — speech pathology, dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and more, all under one roof. 

For Caitlin, it shaped her decision to join. For Martin, it has defined his career here. 

That multidisciplinary model isn’t just good for therapists — it means better, more connected outcomes for the customers we support.