Dr Marta Wahnon

Dr, Marta’s academic trajectory in psychology has been a carefully structured progression toward developing expertise in therapeutic practice, mental health assessment, and clinical supervision. Through her rigorous training, she has gained advanced skills in conducting comprehensive psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments, enabling her to identify and understand complex mental health presentations. This foundation has equipped her to deliver effective, evidence-based interventions while also fostering growth and resilience in both her clients and supervisees.

Her journey began in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Psychology at Kingston University, where she gained a foundational understanding of psychological theory, research methods, and the biological, cognitive, and social factors that influence human behavior. This early exposure to psychology sparked her passion for working therapeutically with individuals, inspiring her to pursue further studies in the field.

In 2009, Dr. Marta completed a Master’s degree in Cognitive and Clinical Neuropsychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, which deepened her understanding of the complex relationship between brain function, behavior, and mental health. This advanced training enabled her to provide a nuanced perspective on clients’ struggles, particularly in cases involving trauma, neurodevelopmental conditions, and cognitive challenges.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Marta earned a Master’s by Research (MRes) in Psychology at Kingston University in 2014. This program allowed her to focus on independent research, further strengthening her knowledge of psychological theory and research methodology. It was during this time that she developed a strong appreciation for research-informed practice and the critical role evidence plays in designing effective psychological interventions.

Motivated to further specialize, Dr. Marta enrolled in the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of the West of England (UWE), completing the program in 2019. This transformative experience combined theoretical study, extensive clinical practice, and personal development. The program provided a comprehensive curriculum, including lifespan developmental psychology, psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, and neuropsychology, as well as a rigorous focus on research design and methodology. Dr. Marta gained advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic approaches, and systemic models of therapy, further broadening her therapeutic skillset. As part of her clinical training, she completed a portfolio of 450 hours of psychotherapeutic practice, including 100 supervised CBT sessions, solidifying her ability to apply psychological theories in real-world therapeutic settings.

In 2022, Dr. Marta further enhanced her expertise by completing a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Clinical Supervision of Psychological Therapies Practice at the University of Exeter. Through 100 supervised hours of clinical supervision, she deepened her understanding of the supervisory process and developed advanced skills to support and guide other therapists in their practice. This qualification has become a key part of her professional development, allowing her to foster the growth of other practitioners while continuing to refine her own skills.

Dr. Marta’s academic and clinical journey reflects her commitment to evidence-based practice, reflective learning, and the highest standards of psychological care. Her comprehensive education and extensive clinical experience enable her to provide tailored and impactful support to clients and colleagues alike.

Throughout her training, Dr. Marta gained extensive experience across a variety of therapeutic approaches and client groups, thanks to diverse placements in both clinical and charitable sectors. Through rigorous academic and clinical training, she has developed a comprehensive toolkit of therapeutic approaches and research methods, which she continues to expand as a clinician and supervisor.

In her work with adult eating disorder patients, Dr. Marta provided Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)-informed interventions and one-on-one Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals with severe and life-threatening conditions, including complex diagnoses such as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and co-morbid Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Within Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), she supported clients with complex emotional needs, depression, EUPD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and psychosis. Dr. Marta also conducted Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) assessments and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) evaluations, while delivering therapeutic interventions such as compassion-focused therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in both group and individual settings.

In Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Dr. Marta worked across the tiers, from community-based services to crisis intervention, providing comprehensive support to young people and their families. She completed neurodevelopmental assessments, including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), and provided therapeutic interventions for young people primarily dealing with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Her clinical responsibilities included taking full responsibility for client care and serving as a care coordinator within multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to ensure holistic and effective psychological care. Working across tiers allowed Dr. Marta to gain a deeper understanding of the continuum of mental health support, from early intervention in the community to managing acute mental health crises.

Her placement in the charitable sector involved delivering psychodynamic psychotherapy to individuals with complex trauma, including victims—and occasionally perpetrators—of domestic abuse. This experience was particularly formative, deepening her understanding of working in emotionally charged environments.

More recently, her role in adult Crisis Mental Health Services has provided her with extensive experience managing acute mental health crises. This position, along with her varied clinical experiences, has equipped Dr. Marta with expertise in handling highly emotive and distressing situations. She has honed her ability to communicate complex and sensitive information with professionalism, empathy, and compassion, adapting her approach to meet the unique needs of each client—even in the most challenging circumstances.

Dr. Marta’s extensive training and diverse experience have prepared her to manage even the most complex and challenging psychological presentations. She believes that no issue is ever too overwhelming or too difficult to address. With a calm, compassionate, and methodical approach, she works alongside her clients to untangle the most intricate concerns, offering tailored care and unwavering support to help them find clarity, healing, and progress.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Marta has developed a strong focus on supervision and leadership. After completing her supervisor training during the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCoP), she undertook the approved supervisor training required for registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS). Following this, she spent a year supervising the second cohort of trainee Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapists (CAPs) within Mid-CAMHS, providing both group and individual supervision. During this time, she also supervised senior professionals, including mental health nurses, social workers, and teachers in mental health roles.

Dr. Marta’s passion for supervision deepened further when she enrolled in the Exeter University Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Supervision Course. Over the course of the program, she completed approximately 150 hours of supervision with IAPT clinicians, offering both individual and group supervision. This training enhanced her ability to deliver evidence-based supervision (EBS) and fostered a reflective approach that emphasizes self-awareness and continuous professional development.

Currently, as an 8a Psychologist within CAMHS Crisis, Dr. Marta supervises a trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) and provides weekly group and one-on-one reflective supervision for the multidisciplinary team. Her supervisory approach is rooted in creating a supportive and collaborative environment, enabling professionals to explore challenges, develop clinical skills, and build emotional resilience.

Dr. Marta also facilitates Balint groups, a reflective practice designed to help professionals examine the emotional and relational aspects of their work. These groups provide a safe, structured space for discussing complex cases, focusing not only on the technical aspects of care but also on the emotional dynamics and therapeutic relationships involved.

In addition, Dr. Marta provides specialized debriefing and postvention work, particularly in response to critical incidents or emotionally charged events. These interventions support individuals and teams in processing distressing experiences, reducing the risk of burnout, and fostering resilience.

By combining reflective practice, evidence-based frameworks, and tailored supervision, Dr. Marta empowers supervisees to enhance their clinical work, manage the emotional demands of their profession, and develop critical competencies. Her flexible and versatile supervisory style ensures that professionals feel supported as they navigate the challenges of high-stress environments, fostering growth, clarity, and effectiveness in their practice.

Dr. Marta is deeply committed to Continuous Professional Development (CPD), ensuring her practice remains informed by the latest research, best practices, and emerging therapeutic approaches. A key milestone in her professional development is her training as an Adaptive Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment (AMBIT) Trainer, completed through the prestigious Anna Freud Centre.

AMBIT is an evidence-based therapeutic model designed to support clients with complex emotional and relational difficulties, particularly young people with high-risk behaviors such as severe emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or attachment challenges. Integrating elements of mentalization-based treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and systemic therapy, AMBIT emphasizes mentalizing skills, collaborative working, and fostering resilience through sustained, compassionate engagement.

As a trained AMBIT Trainer, Dr. Marta is equipped to both apply the model directly with clients and train other professionals in its implementation. She is passionate about sharing this approach, enhancing the capacity of teams and organizations to provide effective, multidisciplinary care for young people facing significant emotional and psychological challenges.