Understanding what you’re experiencing — and finding the right way forward
I work with people experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma-related difficulties, burnout and mental health problems arising during periods of significant personal or professional stress. You may already have a diagnosis that needs reviewing, be considering treatment, or simply know that something does not feel right and want to understand what is happening.
I have worked in psychiatry for more than 40 years. My approach brings together careful psychiatric assessment with evidence-based treatment options, which may include medication, brief psychological interventions and, where appropriate, nutritional approaches. My aim is to understand you as a person as well as your symptoms, explain the options available and help you make informed decisions about your care.
- 40+ years’ experience in psychiatry
- GMC Specialist Register — General Adult Psychiatry
- Consultant Psychiatrist
Could we be a good fit?
You may find my approach useful if:
You’re experiencing depression, anxiety, emotional distress or sleep difficulties and would like a psychiatric assessment to better understand what is happening.
You have an existing mental health diagnosis and would like your condition or current treatment reviewed.
Significant personal or professional stress has affected your mental health and you’re struggling with burnout, anxiety or feeling persistently low.
You’re experiencing a longer-term or recurring mental health condition and want ongoing psychiatric support to review your progress and treatment.
You’re experiencing trauma-related mental health difficulties and want to understand the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.
You would value a psychiatrist who considers psychological interventions alongside medication and can involve psychotherapy or nutrition colleagues where appropriate.
What working together can look like
Our first consultation is an opportunity to understand what has brought you to see a psychiatrist and build a fuller picture of what you have been experiencing.
I’ll listen to your story and ask about your current mental health, previous experiences, relationships, family circumstances and other relevant aspects of your life. I will also assess current risks and may use psychological assessment measures where these can help us understand the nature or severity of your difficulties.
The purpose is not simply to identify symptoms. I want to understand enough about you and what has been happening to consider which treatment options may be appropriate.
Understanding your options
Following your assessment, I will discuss my understanding of your difficulties and the treatment options I believe could help.
Where medication is appropriate, I prescribe psychotropic medication using evidence-based clinical guidance, including relevant NICE guidance. I will explain the proposed approach and arrange reviews so that we can monitor how you are responding.
Depending on your needs, I may also use brief psychological interventions informed by Transactional Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and, where indicated, EMDR.
I also consider nutritional approaches where I believe they are clinically relevant. If more sustained psychotherapy or specialist nutritional support would be useful, I can work alongside or refer you to colleagues within the wider team.
Reviewing treatment over time
Psychiatric care is not necessarily a single consultation. If we begin treatment, we will agree an appropriate plan for reviewing it.
Depending on your condition and treatment, this may initially mean meeting relatively frequently. Dr Orton will commonly review newly started treatment after around two weeks and, where necessary, continue with monthly or subsequently less frequent consultations.
Some mental health conditions require longer-term treatment and can carry a risk of relapse even after somebody has recovered. If difficulties return, coming back for another assessment and reviewing your treatment options is entirely appropriate.
Medication also does not necessarily mean medication indefinitely. Where it is clinically appropriate and you no longer need treatment, I can support you with reducing and stopping medication safely, with follow-up available afterwards if needed.
Throughout, the aim is to support your recovery while making sure you understand the decisions being made about your care.
Areas of experience
Dr Orton has extensive professional experience across General Adult Psychiatry, including:
Depression, anxiety, emotional distress, sleep disturbance and mental health difficulties associated with significant life stress.
Psychosis and other diagnosed mental health conditions requiring psychiatric assessment, treatment and ongoing review.
Post-traumatic stress conditions, significant personal or professional stress and burnout.
Assessment and review of existing diagnoses, psychotropic medication, monitoring treatment and supporting medication reduction or discontinuation where clinically appropriate.
About Dr Orton
Dr Orton has worked with people experiencing mental health difficulties for more than four decades, beginning clinical practice in 1982 and obtaining her full qualification in 1983.
Across that time, her practice has encompassed psychiatric medication and psychological approaches, giving her a broad perspective on the different forms that effective mental health treatment can take.
More recently, she has incorporated nutritional approaches into her clinical thinking where appropriate, particularly when considering options alongside conventional treatment.
Dr Orton also brings personal understanding of the impact that sustained professional and personal stress can have on mental health through her own experience of burnout and recovery. This contributes to her particular interest in supporting people whose mental health has been affected by prolonged periods of pressure.
Her perspective is ultimately grounded in recognising that different people need different combinations of support. Where another professional is better placed to provide part of that care, she works alongside and refers to psychotherapists and nutrition practitioners as appropriate.
Dr Orton speaks English, Lithuanian and Russian.
Qualifications & Professional Credentials
Dr Orton is a Consultant Psychiatrist with more than 40 years’ experience in clinical practice.
GMC Specialist Registration
General Medical Council (GMC)
Specialist registration for General Adult Psychiatry
GMC number: 6032987
Consultant Psychiatrist
Full professional qualification obtained in 1983
Kaunas University of Medicine (formerly Kaunas Institute of Medicine)
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Member
UK Association for Transactional Analysis
Member
Selected additional roles
View selected additional roles
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Educational / Clinical Supervisor
For doctors in training - Approved Clinician and Approved Doctor
- Dr Orton reports undertaking annual CPD certification through the Royal College of Psychiatrists, appraisal within her NHS workplace and periodic GMC revalidation. Her most recent revalidation was in December 2025.
What happens when you get in touch?
Start with a conversation
Your free 20-minute discovery call is an opportunity to tell us what has brought you to therapy, what you are looking for and ask any questions you may have.
Find the right fit
We’ll consider your needs, preferences and what you would like from therapy, then recommend the practitioner we believe is best placed to support you.
Agree the next step
If you feel comfortable with the recommendation, our team will talk you through availability, fees and how to arrange your first session.
Fees
Dr Orton’s initial consultation length, follow-up consultation length and current fees were not included in the questionnaire response and should be confirmed before publication.
We’ll confirm current availability and answer any practical questions during your discovery call.
Psychiatric Assessment
Assessment Session
You don’t have to have it all figuer out
You may know exactly what you want help with, or simply know that something needs to change.
A free 20-minute discovery call is a chance to talk through what’s been happening, ask any questions and understand the right next step for you.
Confidential – No pressure – Clear next steps