Dr Megan Dutton
Manager, Clinical Services
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Megan Dutton brings over 30 years of expertise in the mental health sector, helping shape policy and service development in mental healthcare organisations.
Passionate about improving accessibility and transforming treatment journeys for those seeking mental health support, she excels in blue sky thinking and novel approaches to support.

With a strong academic background, Megans previous roles have been transformative, fostering innovation in service delivery and developing and implementing new programs and systems of support.
Most recently, she was instrumental in establishing the Clinical Research Unit at University of the Sunshine Coast's Thompson Institute, leading a program of research into novel therapeutics. Viewing mental healthcare from a holistic perspective, she sees a pressing need for change in how mental health conditions are viewed and treated and looks forward to contributing to the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, embracing research and innovation to achieve the best possible outcomes for people seeking support.
Megan is passionate about sharing knowledge and helping translate the impact of new research and findings into practice. An experienced presenter and speaker, she is particularly enthusiastic about opportunities to progress conversations relating to brain-based approaches in psychiatry and novel therapeutics.
She has authored numerous articles in academic journals relating to novel treatments in stress related disorders, completed a PhD focusing on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of stress-related conditions (suicidality, depression, anxiety, PTSD) and investigating the effects of dissociative psychedelic ketamine on key brain regions.
Her other interest is digital medicine, and she sees digital biomarker technology and digital therapeutics combined with psychedelic and other novel treatments, playing a pivotal role in future mental healthcare.
Megan is incredibly excited to be a part of a progressive, pioneering mental health organisation which seeks to bring rapid translation of research findings to the Sunshine Coast community in partnership with Lived and Living Experience.
Importantly she acknowledges and is humbled by the privilege of sharing peoples lives and being a part of their story, whilst recognising and acknowledging the mutual learnings and growth that occur along the way.