Feel free again, without fear of birds


A focused, therapist-guided approach that helps your brain unlearn your fear – often within 2 sessions.

Our psychologists will help you decide which approach is right for you.

96%

5-star ratings ★★★★★

>3,000

people treated

Regulated by CQC  •  Harley Street Medical District, London

Do you recognise these symptoms of fear of birds?

Fear of birds, also called ornithophobia, is an intense fear of birds such as pigeons, seagulls, or other birds flying nearby. If you have a fear of birds, you may know that most birds are harmless. Yet your body can react with intense fear when birds fly close to you or suddenly take off.
You avoid squares, parks or outdoor cafés where birds gather. When they come close or fly suddenly, you feel tense and want to move away quickly.
Common symptoms of bird phobia are:

Intense fear

Rapid heartbeat

Sweating

Shaking

Staying inside

Urge to run

If these symptoms sound familiar, your brain has somehow learned to react with fear to birds – even if you know there is no real danger. Our treatment directly targets this fear memory, helping your brain to unlearn the fear response.

Specialised treatment for specific fears

Our approach builds on research by Prof. dr Merel Kindt, enabling us to treat most fears in just two sessions.

A more gradual, step-by-step approach is available where needed.

Book a free introductory call to discuss what suits you.

Memrec treatment

Our fast, focused approach

A focused treatment developed in scientific research at the University of Amsterdam, designed to directly weaken a fear, using a brief, targeted form of exposure and a single beta blocker.

  • 2 sessions on consecutive days
  • Often leads to a rapid and lasting reduction in fear

Step-by-step exposure 

At your pace

A more gradual CBT approach, working directly with the situations you fear, guided by a psychologist and tailored to your pace.

  • Typically 4 – 6 sessions
  • Builds change gradually

What people are able to do again after treatment

After treatment, the biggest difference is often in everyday situations, like going into the basement, watching TV or being in nature.

I avoided situations for years and kept adjusting my life around the fear. Now I just get on with things without thinking about it.

I can sit outside now without constantly watching for birds.

Thalita's experience at Kindt Clinics

“I felt taken seriously and didn’t feel like a client, but simply like someone who wanted to face my fear with guidance.”
“I really appreciated the encouragement, and during the second test session photos were taken of me with the birds, which I still really enjoy looking at.”

Other ways we can help

Not ready or no need for a full treatment? You can book a single session — to talk things through or actively work on your fear.

Single consultation

A one-off consultation with a clinical psychologist specialised in fear. You can use this session to explore your situation, ask questions, or simply talk things through.

  • Video or face to face
  • Typically 30 – 50 minutes
  • From £150

The science behind our treatment

Phobias are learned, not something we are born with. Under the right conditions, our fear memories can become open to change (Memory reconsolidation research by Nader et al, Nature, 2000).

Prof. dr. Merel Kindt (Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Amsterdam) translated this research into the treatment of human fear and phobias. Her work forms the scientific basis of the Memrec method.

Memrec is a specialised form of cognitive behavioural therapy. The treatment is a combination of briefly facing the fear in a safe, guided exposure, and a single dose of a beta blocker, preventing the fear from being stored again in the same way.

So just as fear can be learned, it can also be unlearned – in most cases surprisingly quickly.

For people for whom Memrec is not indicated, we offer standard exposure therapy, informed by the latest research.

 

photo by Annemarijne Bax

Take the first step

Get in touch – we’re happy to think along with you.

I’m not sure yet

Over 3,000 people have overcome their fear at Kindt Clinics

✔  Experienced psychologists


✔  Short waiting times


✔  Personalised approach

Frequently asked questions

Fear of birds, also called ornithophobia, is a specific phobia in which birds trigger intense fear or anxiety. People with this fear may feel distressed when birds fly nearby, when they see birds such as pigeons or seagulls, or when they expect to encounter birds in places like parks or city streets.

Yes, in many cases spider phobia can be treated effectively. Scientific research shows that particularly in-vivo exposure, both Memrec and the step-by-step approach, can help people overcome this fear.

If you choose for Memrec, you will come to the clinic twice. The intake session is often done online, via video. For the treatment itself, you then come to our clinic for 2 appointments on two consecutive days.

If you choose for the step-by-step approach, we usually schedule 5 appointments.

We also offer single exposure sessions for people who would like to practice.

Everyone experiences their fear of spiders a little differently. Some people fear specific types of spiders, and for others it is about all types of spiders. 

Sometimes there has been a distressing experience in the past, but often this isn’t the case. During the intake, we explore together what lies at the core of your fear of spiders and how we can treat it in a way that is both effective and manageable for you. 

It can be hard to imagine getting rid of your fear — you may have lived with it for a long time. Still, this is what happens. You may still feel cautious around spiders, but the irrational fear is gone.

Contact info

London:

1 Duchess Street
Harley Street Health District
London, W1W 6AN

Amsterdam:

Karel du Jardinstraat 33-4
1072 SG Amsterdam

Other fears we treat