There is an old saying that “wealth cannot buy health”. But Russian psychoanalyst Artyom Tolokonin begs to differ. He should know, for he has been treating Russian billionaires at his Neo Vita clinic in Moscow’s most upscale Rublyovka neighborhood.

Security and privacy are top priorities at Neo Vita, which opened in February this year. Visitors to the clinic have to pass a police post and surveillance cameras. They then have to exchange their shoes for clean overshoes before entering this clinical haven.

Anti-stress music serenade the interior spaces, lit by soft lighting and liquid-filled tubes. Flat-screen TVs showing images of the scenic countryside line the walls of the clinic. Caviar is served to patients, or should we say clients, recovering from a blood test. No detail has been spared to ensure that the rich feel well at home in this place.

And for all his efforts, Tolokonin says in an interview with AFP that he charges 10,000 dollars (that’s 6,360 euros) for an hour of psychoanalysis. One businessman was reported to have shelled out more than US$200,000 to have the entire clinic to himself. Tolokonin does not apologize for his exorbitant fees as he claims that only he understands the Russian mentality.

Speaking to AFP, Tolokonin said: “I think if my client is able to throw away a million dollars (636,000 euros) in a night, then I should be able to treat him for two million.

"If he has a castle in Monaco, but can't find love, then I wouldn't be effective if I weren't charging him the equivalent of a castle."

Photo credits: Alexey Sazonov/AFP

via Luxist / AFP