About Joel Curtis
We enjoy an open and host relationship with Joel. We chat regularly to ensure he is happy with our service, and he always gives great feedback. Joel is a responsive client, always polite to our team and is respectful of our work and practices.
Let’s chat to Joel and find our more…
Q: Joel, please tell us about your business and what you do.
“We’re a Psychology Practice offering counselling services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, athletes, and teams. While we have a strong background in sports performance, our work extends beyond this field — we also support business teams, sales teams, and more. We apply similar principles across all types of teams, helping them to optimise performance and wellbeing.”
Q: How did you get started in your industry?
“Interestingly, I started out as a stonemason apprentice, but I quickly realised that working with my hands wasn’t for me. After a motorbike accident left me unable to work, I had some time to reflect and consider my next steps.
Initially, I wanted to be a sports journalist — I’ve always loved sport — but after completing my HSC, I realised English wasn’t my strength. Then I came across an article in 1994 about Sports Psychology and how it was helping the Wallabies. That was my lightbulb moment.
I went to university in Canberra, which had a strong focus on Sports Psychology and welcomed mature-aged students. I lived on campus for three years and completed the final three years of the six-year psychology degree in Sydney, specialising in Sports Psychology during my postgraduate and master’s studies.”
Q: What has your journey been like?
“I started out at Centrelink in the early 2000’s, before Medicare recognised or supported mental health.
After Centrelink, I moved into occupational rehabilitation, helping people through trauma and supporting their return to work. I gained experience with budgets, sales, cold calls – even helping build a business from scratch.
In 2009, I started my own practice under the Life Resolutions franchise. It provided a great structure and network, but after seven years, I was ready to go out on my own. That’s when I launched Endeavour Wellness in 2016. We now have clinics in Kirrawee and Blacktown and a team of 13.”
Q: What’s been your favourite part of the journey?
“Helping people. There’s nothing like seeing a client get a great result. You don’t always know the full impact of your work, so it’s rewarding when you do.
I also value the personal growth – the lessons, the people, the experiences. Owning my own business means I get to create an environment that reflects who I am: open, collaborative, and authentic. There’s no mask.”
Q: What challenges have you faced along the way, and how have you overcome them?
“There have been many. Early on, mental health wasn’t widely accepted or funded, and I struggled to find clients. There was a stigma around seeing a Psychologist. As we grew, finding staff became the challenge. Initially people from community health were looking for opportunities in private practice. Now we have lots of clients and it’s hard to find Psychologists.
Another challenge is encouraging people to seek help. It’s not an easy step to take, and many people delay it.”
Q: What makes Endeavour Wellness stand out in the market?
“We’re passionate about providing tailored mental health and wellbeing support. There’s no “cookie-cutter” approach here. We constantly check in with clients to make sure the process is working for them.
We also offer flexibility: face-to-face sessions, Telehealth, and onsite support for critical incidents or redundancy meetings.”
Q: What innovations in your industry are you most excited about?
“I’m interested in research into treatment methods. The work that scientists and researchers are doing is fascinating. I’m also curious to see how AI can support (not replace) what we do.
There are some great note-taking systems emerging, which is fantastic because documentation can be time-consuming — but it’s so important for legal and clinical reasons.”
Q: What’s your purpose, and what are your aspirations for the business?
“Our purpose is simple – to make a meaningful difference in every client’s life, no matter how long they’re with us.
We want the team to enjoy coming to work, to feel supported and celebrated. Looking ahead, we plan to expand further, creating opportunities for more psychologists to join us and reach more people in need.”
Q: How would you describe your core values?
“As a business: We value connection, enjoying each other’s company, and celebrating success. We’re committed to delivering tailored wellbeing solutions.
Personally: I value honesty and connection. I make sure I always say what needs to be said. Often, it’s those difficult conversations that drive the progress – what clients need to hear in order to move forward.”
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
“I’d say I’m a “what you see is what you get” kind of leader. I favour a collaborative approach and give people the autonomy to work within a framework that suits them. Psychologists need to feel independent yet supported – it can be isolating work. I’m here to guide, offer a safe space, and have the courageous conversations when needed.”
Q: What drives you every day?
“Honestly? Paying the bills! But beyond that, I’m driven by challenge. I’ve found something I’m passionate about and good at. I’m great at seeing things others don’t – especially when it comes to teams and building them.”
Q: What advice would you give to others facing similar challenges?
“Be honest with yourself. Try to anticipate problems before they arise. Reflect on your decisions, and if something doesn’t go well, ask yourself what you could’ve done differently, without beating yourself up. Take the time to sit with it.”
Q: What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve received from a client?
“Thanks, you’ve done a great job and helped me a lot.” We hear that regularly, and it never gets old.”
Q: How do you define success for your business?
“For me, success is when people are happy to be here – when this feels like a different kind of workplace. One where people want to come to work.”
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Thank you, Joel, for taking the time to share your story with us. It’s been quite the inspiring journey, and you have touched so many lives in a positive and constructive manner, which must be incredibly rewarding.
It’s a total pleasure working with you and we wish you all continued success…