General News
15 December, 2025
Finding His Place: How Country Therapy Helped Joshua Turn Support Into a Career
WHEN Stawell local Joshua Harvey first reached out to Country Therapy as a teenager, he came seeking support. What he found was far more than therapy sessions, he discovered confidence, direction, and, ultimately, a future career. Now 19, Joshua is preparing to take on a new role at the very organisation that once helped him as a participant. After completing an internship with Country Therapy as a Therapy Support, he impressed the team with his calm nature, natural rapport with children, and genuine desire to help others. Country Therapy Management has made it clear they would be more than happy to offer Joshua a position going forward. Joshua’s journey into support work didn’t happen by accident. According to his mum, Lisa, “He’s always been a caring, helpful kid.” Joshua agrees, saying the field appealed to him because it offers variety and the chance to do meaningful work. “Just as long as I’m helping people in some shape or form,” he says.
From Patient to Therapy Support
For Joshua, transitioning from being a client to working behind the scenes provided surprising insights.
“I didn’t realise there was so much documentation!” he laughs. But the administrative side never overshadowed what he loved most: meeting people.
“I like meeting new people, kids included,” Joshua says, describing the social aspect of being a Therapy Support as a major highlight. Lisa adds, “Helping people is who he is.”
His time as an intern confirmed something he already suspected, he can see himself working in Allied Health long term.
A Family’s Journey With Country Therapy
Before discovering Country Therapy, Joshua and his family, like many people, had a limited understanding of what Occupational Therapy could offer.
Lisa admits they once believed OT was only about handwriting.
Previous services focused exclusively on that skill, but Country Therapy opened their eyes to the broader, holistic nature of the profession.
Occupational Therapy, they learned, supports people in building independence, confidence, and everyday functional skills, far beyond pen-and-paper work.
For Joshua, this holistic approach helped him grow into a young man who doesn’t let anything hold him back.
“He hasn’t been one to let anything phase him,” Lisa says.
“Whatever he does, he’s all in.”
She hopes other families can take something from their experience.
“If you’ve got the right supports behind you, you can do anything,” she says. She also encourages parents not to fear assessment or diagnosis.
“As a mum, I’m glad I didn’t let the fear of getting him assessed stop me. By getting him assessed we were able to help him in the best way possible.”
Joshua adds his own humour to the conversation.
“I can spell ‘John’ four different ways and none of them will look right!” he jokes, showing the light-hearted determination that has carried him through.
A Future Built on Support
Joshua’s story is proof that with the right environment, strengths can flourish.
This is sponsored content for Country Therapy.