Megan Hagen

Qualifications

BSc Occupational Therapy

Specialisms

Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Agoraphobia, PTSD, & OCD.

Introduction

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2013. Currently I practice within a Mental Health Team as part of a Primary Care Network and am based in multiple GP surgeries. In this role, I work with individuals aged 15 and over, experiencing a vast range of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, agoraphobia, PTSD, OCD, self-management issues or self-neglect, suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviours. Many patients referred to the service are also experiencing physical health related issues such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, physical trauma or injury, pain management issues, and older age-related medical conditions. Individuals with diagnosed or suspected, ADHD and/or Autism are often seen too. 

I provide initial assessments and provide 1:1 bespoke occupational therapy treatment. Risk management is also a significant part of my work as well as care co-ordination tasks. I work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the GP surgeries, the teams are also linked closely with local secondary care mental health services including the Community Mental Health Team and NHS Talking Therapies, the Community Adult Autism Service, and Vocational Services.

In 2020, I undertook a post as an Occupational Therapy Driving Advisor within a branch of Driving Mobility. There, I was able to significantly advance my general assessment skills with a vast range of cognitive and physical medical conditions. Including stroke, brain injury, physical trauma and injury including amputation, eyesight conditions, fibromyalgia, complex pain disorders as well as dementia and Parkinson’s disease, in the context of completing fitness to drive and vehicle adaptation assessments on behalf of private clients, the NHS, police and the DVLA. Assessments would generally include cognitive testing, physical checks, reaction testing and a practical in car, on road, safety assessment. High quality report writing was also a major part of this role. 

Prior to this, my background has been predominately within the mental health field, and my first qualified post was within a specialist eating disorders service. Between 2016 and 2020, I worked in several Child and Adolescent Mental Health inpatient units within the NHS and private sector. During this time, I worked with young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties with the aim of improving overall functional performance in a range of targeted areas such as personal management, leisure pursuits and education, as well as preparing for discharge back into the community. I have worked in various clinical settings, in the community, and in people’s homes and have developed an ability to quickly build a rapport with individuals and their families, colleagues and externals services. I am also used to working with a range of communication difficulties including aphasia, mutism, high anxiety, and functional communication issues. 

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.