For the last 17 years, consultants at The Phobia Clinic in Harley Street, Central London have been dealing with the phobias of the rich, well-known, and famous. Rock stars, bankers and models have all visited this discreet and private practice.

Celebrities have just as many phobias (if not more) than ordinary people, and the clinic is kept busy with requests ranging from the mundane (spiders, heights, public speaking) to more unusual phobias (bald men, spoons, circus music).

Senior Consultant Mr Stephen Wichett says:

"Many of our more famous clients are embarrassed to seek help for unusual phobias and fetishes. Once they realise that change is quick, simple and pain-free, they are delighted to make an appointment with us. We usually remove most phobias in one or two sessions, and although this is a private practice, we keep costs to a minimum"

*** Celebrity Phobia Fact: Many famous people have had a fear of spiders, including Andre Agassi, Kirsten Dunst, Wendy Richard and Justin Timberlake ***

It used to take 6 months or more of painful and unpleasant 'desensitisation' therapy to cure even simple phobias like those of crowds or snakes. Now, modern psychological approaches like NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and TFT (Thought Field Therapy) mean that rapid and permanent results are easily achieved. Combined with Hypnotherapy this has proved to be an enjoyable and relaxing approach for clients visiting the clinic.

Confidentially is vital to the clinic's reputation and they offer a unique personal service. Clients arriving at their Harley Street practice are greeted personally by the Senior Consultant, who is waiting for them in reception (or at a discreet side entrance in Wigmore Street). He then takes them directly to a small and comfortable private consulting room. After an initial consultation, he will usually proceed with their changes immediately, or call in a senior specialist colleague. At the end of their session they are escorted by their consultant to another private exit (further along Harley Street from the clinic).

Many well-known individuals really appreciate not having to deal with reception staff or sit in public waiting areas, or be seen by junior consultants, so this truly is a VIP sensitive approach, and accounts for the ongoing personal recommendations their celebrity clients and agents continue to make. The clinic also has an anonymous payments system and secure record-keeping facilities. After their first contact (usually by phone, text or email) clients can agree a code name, and all files are stored under a random six-digit number identifier.

The therapy itself works by changing the mistaken unconscious associations between an ordinary object, person or situation (such as a lift, a clown, a beautiful woman) and the basic human survival response. This 'flight, fight or freeze' reaction is hardwired into the brain, and problems occurred when wires get crossed. This is what we know as a phobia.

Phobic feel genuine terror when confronted by their phobia triggers, and often suffer chronic anxiety about the thought of having an unavoidable encounter. The clinic is diligent in fully removing any remaining anxiety or anxious thoughts as part of the package, and this is also dealt with quite speedily and comfortably - usually in another session or two.

Accessibility is extremely important to the The Phobia Clinic's founder and Senior Consultant. He says:

"I strongly dislike calling any professional service provider, such as my doctor or solicitor, and having to go through call handling or layers of assistants and pa's. For this reason, my direct contact details are on all our literature and website. This is especially important for any initial enquiries or a sensitive nature, and preserves confidentiality and ensures that I can respond to our valued clients in person."

For all the above reasons, the success of the clinic continues to grow, and their reputation has spread to celebrity clients from overseas. Their website (see link below) has full details on the origins and causes of numerous specific phobias, an interesting list of common phobias, and links to sites giving comprehensive phobias definitions and clinical names.