Dr Morwenna Opie

Professional statement

Dr Morwenna Opie is an expert clinical health psychologist based at the Duchy Hospital in Truro, Cornwall. In this setting she has a specialty with syncope, PoTS and managing health-related anxieties, however she continues to provide support to patients with all manner of physical health conditions from many settings including rheumatology (e.g. RA, Sjogren’s, APS, Lupus, FM), neurology (migraine, unexplained symptoms) and pain and fertility services. Dr Opie is qualified in providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as mindfulness therapies which are proven to optimise mental health, and are highly effective for anxiety, depression and OCD, as well as associated difficulties including sleep issues, panic attacks, grief, adjustment, fatigue and relationship difficulties. Dr Opie recognises we can sometimes feel overwhelmed with advice and demands to change, our worlds can shrink and we can lose a sense of purpose and direction.  At these times it is critical to reconnect with our identity and values, define priorities, make plans, and regain hope and self-worth.

Dr Opie completed her undergraduate degree at Cambridge University where she won subject and college prizes. She obtained her PhD in clinical health and psychology at UCL and completed her studies in New Zealand where she specialised in anxiety, neurophysiology and clinical health psychology. Dr Opie is currently an honorary clinical psychologist at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in rheumatology, reflecting her commitment to integrating psychological health routinely into physical healthcare settings, and working collaboratively with healthcare specialists to ensure coordinated quality care.

Dr Opie's patient-centred approach in a clinical setting is mirrored in her research interests which include investigating and validating individual therapeutic and group interventions for complex physical health conditions. She is also committed to producing informative literature about health and treatment for patient use and advocating for psychological support in healthcare that is informed by a recognition that mind and body are inseparable. This patient-centric approach is visible in the relaxed, safe, warm and genuine relationships she forms with her patients, helping them step back into a full and rewarding life.