ABOUT
At The Treatment Lab, we’re driven by a simple mission: to help manual therapists, physiotherapists, and osteopaths bridge the gap between theory and practice—building the confidence, skill, and clinical intuition needed to truly impact patients’ lives.
The Challenge We Saw
We know the challenges of stepping into the clinic fresh out of university. Textbooks prepare you with knowledge, but real-world practice demands more—refined hands-on skills, confidence in treatment choices, and the ability to translate complex pain science into language patients can understand.
That’s where our story begins.
Our Story
Dr Jim started his career in a high-volume clinic, quickly learning how to manage patients and communicate effectively. While he thrived in educating patients and breaking down pain science, he felt limited in his practical skillset and hungry to grow beyond “safe” techniques. His turning point came when he met Dr Rusty—a mentor whose depth of clinical experience and teaching reignited Dr Jim’s development and helped him unlock the balance between technical ability and patient connection.
Dr Rusty’s journey was shaped by strong mentors, diverse osteopathic training, and years of clinical practice spanning structural, functional, craniosacral, and visceral approaches. Having run his own clinic, he saw firsthand that the role of a therapist goes far beyond symptom relief—it’s about creating the right environment for healing, supporting patients physically, emotionally, and socially. Guiding and supporting Dr Jim ignited his passion for teaching, especially the power of making complex ideas simple and practical for clinicians.
Together, we founded The Treatment Lab to create the kind of support we wished we had early in our careers: mentorship that blends real-world clinical wisdom with practical frameworks and modern teaching. We don’t just focus on the “how”—we dive into the “why,” giving practitioners tools they can use immediately while building the deeper confidence that comes from truly understanding their craft.
Meet Your Mentors
Dr Jim Doheny (Osteopath)
Hi, I’m Dr Jim. After graduating, I stepped straight into a busy clinic where I had high patient numbers on my books. It was a baptism of fire. The experience forced me to refine my patient management skills quickly, but I soon realised something was missing: my hands-on work didn’t feel as developed as I wanted it to be. Like most new grads, I was textbook smart but lacked the practical experience to match.
I often won patients over with my personality and by confidently explaining pain physiology to them, but deep down I knew I was leaning on this strength to mask my lack of confidence in the hands-on side of treatment. I’d avoid certain techniques out of fear of poor execution and stick to “safer” approaches that sometimes felt less effective. This frustration became a major motivator for me: I didn’t just want to get by on communication skills alone, I wanted to back it up with technical ability and become a practitioner who could truly offer the best of both.
Because I relied so heavily on patient education and communication, I started refining my ability to teach, breaking down pain science, anatomy, and physiology in ways that helped patients understand their bodies and feel more in control. At the same time, I was becoming more aware of the gaps in my hands-on efficacy. The real shift happened when I met Dr Rusty, whose mentorship filled in so many of those theoretical and practical gaps. His guidance gave me the tools and confidence I’d been missing, and it completely changed how I approached patient care.
For a while I thought I might go into lecturing, and while universities have strong programs, I realised my experience wasn’t unique—many new graduates face the same gap between finishing school and feeling confident in the clinic. That realisation, combined with how much I’d grown through teaching and mentorship, became a major motivator to co-found The Treatment Lab.
Dr Rusty Gaddes (Osteopath)
Hi, I’m Dr. Rusty, the co-founder of The Treatment Lab.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Anatomy and a Master’s in Osteopathy. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work under some incredible mentors. They not only helped me translate theory into practice but also provided practical knowledge, built my confidence, deepened my understanding of my skills, and inspired a lasting curiosity that continues to drive my work today.
My clinical focus has always been broad, drawing from functional, structural, craniosacral, and visceral osteopathic techniques. This variety has allowed me to go deeper than symptom relief, helping patients address the true root of their challenges. Establishing and running my own clinic early in my career gave me the chance to refine these skills, shape my approach to patient care, and learn invaluable lessons about resilience, problem-solving, and the human side of healthcare.
After some years working solo, I relocated to Perth and joined a clinic as an associate, where I met Dr. Jim. He was eager to learn from my clinical experience, and through guiding and supporting him (while learning plenty from him in return), I discovered a genuine passion for teaching. I enjoy breaking complex ideas into simple, flowing steps, always explaining not just the “how,” but the “why,” and sharing those little clinical pearls that only years in practice can provide.
I’ve now begun the journey of running my own clinic here in Perth and have been welcomed by a vibrant, supportive community.
Outside of the clinic, you’ll usually find me by the ocean, living an active lifestyle, exploring new food spots, or travelling.
Our Vision & Our Values
We believe great therapists are made when knowledge, skill, and confidence intersect. Our goal is to help the next generation of practitioners grow beyond theory, with mentorship and training that’s practical, impactful, and deeply human. We envision a community of therapists who are confident in their hands-on skills, empowered to make meaningful decisions, and capable of creating lasting, positive change in the lives of their patients. Through this, we aim to elevate the standard of care and foster a profession where both practitioners and patients thrive.
Our values:
Integrity – We’re honest, transparent, and deliver on our promises.
Human-First – We respect the person behind the practitioner.
Mastery Over Hustle – We focus on building deep, practical skills that last.
Joy & Flow – Learning and practice should feel energizing and positive.
Connection – Real relationships, not transactions.
Growth Together – We evolve alongside our community.
What's Next for You?
Our vision is to grow a community of therapists who not only treat effectively but also make lasting impacts on their patients’ lives. Whether it’s through in-person workshops, online learning, or one-on-one mentorship, The Treatment Lab is here to guide the next generation of therapists in becoming confident, skilled, and genuinely impactful practitioners.
