About
As an occupational therapist, I always aim to take a holistic view of my clients. I have a wide range of knowledge, including physical health, mental health and neurodiversity. I have worked in a variety of settings, including schools, young offender units, hospitals, National Autistic Society accredited services and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Position at Priory
David Murtagh is currently the therapy lead for specialist services at Priory Hospital Roehampton, which includes the adult eating disorder unit, CAMHS eating disorder units, CAMHS private ward and CAMHS general adolescent unit (GAU). David is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). He has worked at Priory Hospital Roehampton for 4 years and is responsible for assessing young people for autism as part of our autism pathway.
Training
- Autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS-2)
- Autism diagnostic interview – revised (ADI-R)
- Treatment and education of autistic and related communication-handicapped children (TEACCH)
- Picture exchange communication system (PECS)
- Makaton
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Research interest
Research for my MSc was: A Soldier’s Reprieve. A Textual Analysis of British Servicemen's Poetry During Psychological Treatment.
Links to clinical articles/research papers:
- Occupational therapists help war veterans adjust to their 'new world'. Enable Magazine, 5th November 2012.
- Occupational Therapy: First World War Centenary - Growth from Conflict. British Journal of Occupational Therapy published online, July 15 2014 https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/sage/occupational-therapy-first-world-war-centenary-growth-from-conflict-ug4eHp4h4d.
- Occupational Therapy, Resilience and Growth from Trauma. Published in OT News, September 2016.