About Us
Psychiatry
What is it?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health disorders through medication and therapy. They are not psychologists or therapists, although some psychiatrists may have dual training in psychiatry and psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists, as medical doctors, assess patients through clinical interviews and diagnostic tools, then create treatment plans that may include medication and psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists, on the other hand, focus on understanding behaviour and emotional well-being through psychological assessments and therapy. Clinical psychologists will have a psychology degree and doctorate, rather than a medical degree. They cannot prescribe medication. Both work together to support mental health.
A therapist can mean a variety of things and they may have a variety of qualifications. They may provide psychological therapies.
Dr. Claudia Murton
Experience and Knowledge
Dr. Claudia Murton is a highly experienced consultant general adult psychiatrist with over 19 years in the medical field. Qualified as a doctor in 2005 and a consultant psychiatrist in 2016, she specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness in adults. She uses treatments and long-term lifestyle and wellbeing interventions to help people make significant and genuine changes in their lives.
Currently working in liaison psychiatry for the NHS, Dr. Murton has a keen interest in persistent physical symptoms and the impact of physical illness on mental health. Other areas of expertise include neurodiversity, trauma related presentations and eating disorders. Although her expertise spans community and inpatient psychiatry settings, enabling her to provide comprehensive care for a wide range of mental health conditions.
With a master’s degree in clinical education, Dr. Murton is passionate about patient education, wellbeing, and lifestyle interventions. She empowers individuals to better understand and manage their conditions through a holistic approach that considers the mind-body connection.
Dr Murton holds senior and supervisory positions in her NHS role. Training and education is an integral part of her working life.
Dr, Murton is actively involved with clinical research in her NHS role. She is Principle Investigator for the Cornwall site, in a multicentre trial exploring the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treatment resistant depression.
Combining clinical expertise with a commitment to personalized care, Dr. Murton is a trusted resource for individuals seeking comprehensive mental healthcare services. Dr. Murton is the sole practitioner at Porthia Clinic and is responsible for all aspects of patient care.
Education, Membership and Registration
MBBch- Cardiff University 2005 (Medical Degree).
MRCPsych- Royal College of Psychiatrists 2011 (Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists)
PGCert Clin Ed- Plymouth University 2013 (post graduate certificate in clinical education-teaching qualification)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) adult psychiatry including an endorsement in liaison psychiatry 2016- Royal College of Psychiatrists- (completion of psychiatric training in England and qualification as a consultant adult psychiatrist)
MClinEd Plymouth University 2020 – Masters Degree in Clinical Education
Dr Murton is on the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC number 6115183) and is an Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act
Work for us
Why work for us
While we are not actively recruiting at present, Porthia Clinic has ambitious plans for growth in the coming months. We anticipate creating new positions for psychiatrists and psychologists as we expand our services to meet increasing patient needs in Cornwall. If you’re an experienced mental health professional interested in joining our team in the future, we’d welcome your expression of interest. Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and approach to patient care to info@porthiaclinic.co.uk
Current Vacancies
Sustainability Commitment
At Porthia Clinic, we recognise that environmental sustainability and mental wellbeing are deeply interconnected. Our commitment to sustainability shapes how we operate and deliver care:
Mindful Practice
- We minimise our environmental impact through thoughtfully designed services that blend in-person and remote consultations when appropriate
- Our clinic emphasises paperless operations, using secure digital systems for medical records, communications, and prescriptions
- We carefully consider the environmental impact of our medical treatments and recommendations
Nature-Connected Care
- We recognise the powerful role that connection with nature plays in mental health and recovery
- Our Cornwall location allows us to incorporate nature-based elements into treatment plans where appropriate
- We encourage sustainable lifestyle changes that benefit both individual wellbeing and environmental health
Sustainable Operations
We continuously seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of psychiatric care
Looking forward
We believe that caring for mental health must go hand in hand with caring for our environment. By making mindful choices in how we operate and deliver care, we aim to support both individual and planetary wellbeing for generations to come.