Feel free again, without fear of confined spaces


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 confined spaces?

If you have claustrophobia, you may know that elevators, tunnels or MRI scanners are safe. Yet your body reacts with intense fear and strong urge to escape when you are in enclosed or confined spaces.
You avoid lifts, tunnels or small enclosed spaces. When you can’t easily leave, you feel tense, short of breath, and focused on getting out.
Common symptoms of claustrophobia are:

Intense fear

Rapid heartbeat

Sweating

Restlessness

Avoiding situations

Urge to escape

If these symptoms sound familiar, your brain has somehow learned to react with fear to confined spaces – 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 went through an MRI for my knee without any hesitation, such a relief.

Hans's experience at Kindt Clinics

“Via the internet I came across Kindt Clinics, who already indicated on their website that this could be resolved with a one-day treatment. I did need some time to think about that, but I did make an appointment.”
“During this conversation I felt at ease almost immediately. It was very relaxed and I was given all the time to explain everything that was going on. It was not always easy, but each time I was reassured again and given all the time to express myself. After the conversation we chose a treatment date. With a remarkable result. I have tried several situations that I would normally not put myself in. This thanks to Kindt Clinics. I am very grateful to them that after one treatment day I have lost 90% of my claustrophobia anxiety. I would truly recommend this to everyone.”

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

Claustrophobia and cleithrophobia are closely related fears involving confined or restricted situations. Claustrophobia refers to the fear of enclosed spaces, while cleithrophobia refers more specifically to the fear of being trapped or unable to escape. In practice, many people experience a combination of both: anxiety in situations such as elevators, MRI scanners, airplanes, or crowded spaces where leaving quickly may feel difficult.

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