MEGAN MCLAUGHLIN, OTR/L

I am a native resident of Eagle Lake now raising a family with my longtime partner in Mankato. We have three children and a labrador retriever. Becoming an OT was a long and winding process but I continued to persist. I obtained my bachelor's degree in RPLS with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. After some time working and growing our family I continued school and was accepted into the Masters of Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota. Following coursework was clinical fieldwork. My areas of focus included mental health OT at the Forensic Mental Health Program in the St Peter Regional Treatment Center; and physical rehabilitation in the Owatonna Skilled Nursing Home during the Covid-19 pandemic. I passed the National Board Certification on my first try and obtained my license to practice in MN. 

​

The last 2 and a half years I served the adult and geriatric population traveling between nursing homes in and surrounding Mankato. My greatest accomplishments include custom fitting manual wheelchairs and power wheelchairs to enhance and promote accessible living for my patients. I wanted to expand my capacity as a practitioner in private practice where I can treat the underlying issues and barriers rather than just a primary diagnosis. I can happily report I am a more patient mother and partner at home by transferring out of the corporate therapy world. 

 

My clinical interests include working with individuals with differing abilities in their home, work, and community; restoring function and health to those with developmental and acquired neurological disorders. Advocating for and educating families how to overcome barriers that come along with illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, dysfunction, activity limitation, and participation restriction. 

​

Our services are based in scientific theory and process. We, the OT’s are the “do-ers” that put theory into action. Our goal is performance and participation in preferred and daily occupations.

 

Please reach out as I am accepting clients from the age of birth to geriatrics. 

 

Fun ways to think about OT…

 

What is an Occupational Therapist?

​

“MacGyver”

​

A Person: Like the TV character, we are detectives with innovative solutions to immediate problems. - without a mullet.

​

A Tool: Like a Swiss Army Knife, an OT applies scientific knowledge to ordinary problems to create a means of function in daily occupations.

​

The verb MacGyver: is a slang term meaning to make, form, or repair (something) with what is conveniently on hand. - an OT.

​

“ OT’s have an extraordinary knack for unconventional problem solving and an extensive bank of scientific knowledge that we believe can best be put to use in everyday occupations through participation for habilitation, rehabilitation, and promotion of health and wellness for anyone, group, or community as an end result.” - Megan

​