Psychiatric Care in Denver with McKenna Bagan, PMHP

Psychiatric Care in Denver with McKenna Bagan, PMHP

McKenna Bagan delivers exceptional psychiatric care in Denver. She is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She started her career in OBGYN, but she soon discovered the glaring need for quality mental health care in her community and her passion for psychiatry.

Since then, she has been providing psychiatric care across the lifespan from children to adults of all ages. She has specialized knowledge in hormonal issues and how these influence women’s mental health. McKenna is dedicated to helping her patients pursue mental well-being from an integrative approach.

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Q1: How did you begin your journey providing psychiatric care in Denver?

A: I was born and raised in Colorado, but I left for a short time to pursue my undergraduate and graduate studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. I have always been interested in mental health, and I have several family members that struggle with severe persistent mental illness. However, it wasn’t until I took a class in college centered around Social Determinants of Health that my interest turned into something that I wanted to pursue as a career path.

After completing my undergraduate studies in Organizational Development and Financial Economics, I completed an accelerated program to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing, with a specialty in Women’s Health. During my Nurse Practitioner program, I worked in a correctional facility as a psych nurse, and I knew that I would eventually one day return to school to pursue an additional board certification in psychiatry. For 2 years, I practiced in the OBGYN setting.

During the pandemic, I saw firsthand the glaring need for quality psychiatric care in Denver. Being the only provider that a lot of my patients would see during the year, they relied on me increasingly to help with mental health care, and I decided then that I would return to school.

I am so completely passionate about this work, and I feel so grateful to be able to pursue what I love daily.

Q2: How do you spend your free time when you're not delivering amazing psychiatric care in Denver?

A: I spend my free time reading (on book #8 of 2024 already…), traveling, doing crossword puzzles, and enjoying the electronic music scene in Denver with my incredible partner Tom.  

Q3: What’s something you’ve struggled with in the past that you’ve overcome and how does that experience inform your practice?

I honestly think having had my own experiences with mental health challenges has helped me to deliver better psychiatric care in Denver to my patients. I will always remember the first therapist that I truly connected with as an undergraduate student. She was warm, validating, and taught me mindfulness practices, which honestly changed my life. It was the first time that I had ever felt heard by a mental health professional, while also getting tools to help me in real time. I do feel that pursuing treatment myself has led me to be a more compassionate, curious, and empathetic care provider and it makes me really excited to help other young people dealing with teenage depression.

Q4: What areas do you think are under researched in mental health services?

The correlation between hormonal fluctuations and mental health represents a compelling area of inquiry, encompassing diverse facets such as the intersection of PCOS with mental health, the mental health implications of the menopausal transition, and the effects of hormonal shifts during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Despite its significance, this realm remains largely underexplored, presenting ample opportunities for further investigation and understanding.

Q5: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A lazy weekend. We love spending a weekend day here and there at home without leaving the house in our Pajamas. Also love anything with buffalo sauce on it