A newly opened specialist clinic in the Harley Street Health District is aiming to help patients overcome phobias that prevent them from accessing medical treatment.
Recently opened at 22 Wimpole Street, Kindt Clinics London is bringing a treatment model developed by University of Amsterdam Clinical Psychology Professor Merel Kindt to the UK after a Channel 4 series popularised the approach.
The London clinic founders said it will focus on treating specific medical phobias – including fears of needles, blood tests, MRI scans, dental procedures and enclosed spaces – which can lead patients to delay or avoid healthcare altogether.
According to the clinic, more than 3,500 patients have been treated at its Amsterdam centre since it opened in 2018. Clinical outcome data from Amsterdam indicates that 95 per cent of patients experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in fear, while 82 per cent achieved full remission.
The London clinic expects to treat at least 120 patients during its first six months, with capacity to expand as referral pathways develop across the District. Patients can self-refer, but the clinic is also seeking to build stronger links with healthcare providers, with a long-term goal of increasing clinicians and organisational referrals.
Clinic leaders say they expect London to become the group’s largest centre over time, citing the capital’s status as a global healthcare destination and the density of potential referral partners across the Harley Street Health District.
Professor Kindt said medical phobias are often underestimated despite their impact on health outcomes.
“I regularly see patients whose phobias are a direct barrier to the medical care they need,” she said. “A patient who cannot tolerate a blood draw, or who avoids an MRI because of claustrophobia, is a patient who may miss out on important healthcare.”
The multidisciplinary London team includes clinical psychologists, a medical director and specialist psychology staff. The clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission, with treatment delivered by HCPC-registered clinical psychologists.
Although medical phobias are expected to drive significant demand, the service also treats fears of heights, flying, spiders, animals, driving and vomiting. Treatment typically begins with an online or video assessment and, where appropriate, may involve a two-session intervention based on exposure-focused cognitive behavioural techniques.
The Wimpole Street facility includes a dedicated treatment space that can be adapted to recreate phobia triggers, such as blood-testing environments or MRI-style enclosed spaces. For some patients, treatment also takes place in real-world settings outside the clinic.
The organisation is already exploring partnerships with healthcare providers and has announced plans to develop training programmes that could enable NHS and independent-sector clinicians to deliver elements of its treatment approach under supervision.
