Our Story
About Dr Henrietta Cook | Aesthetic Skin Doctor & Founder of Avena Clinic
Aesthetics that honour your identity and restore confidence in a way that still feels completely like you.
About Dr Hen
Founder and Medical Director
Dr Henrietta Cook MBBS MRCGP is a dual-trained GP and aesthetic skin doctor, registered with the General Medical Council and the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is the founder of Avena Clinic, where she specialises in subtle, regenerative and wellness-aligned aesthetic treatments.​
Dr Hen's Story
​Her path into aesthetic medicine began during a rare pause in her medical career — a moment that gave her space to reflect on what kind of doctor she wanted to be. She realised she wanted to offer care that went deeper than rushed ten-minute consultations: care that supported women’s confidence and sense of self.
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Aesthetics became the bridge between medicine, confidence and wellbeing — a way to help women reconnect with their reflection, feel at home in their skin and age gracefully and intentionally.
Combining her medical expertise with a gentle, compassionate approach, she created Avena Clinic alongside her husband — a space for subtle, natural and holistic aesthetic care.
Medical Expertise & Qualifications
With over a decade of training and dual clinical practice, Dr Hen brings a depth of medical expertise rarely found in aesthetic medicine.
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She holds:
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MBBS Medicine & Surgery (Distinction in Clinical Practice) — King's College London
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MRCGP — Royal College of General Practitioners
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Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Aesthetic Injectable Therapies - Delegate of the highest qualification attainable for cosmetic doctors in the UK
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Advanced training in cosmetic dermatology, regenerative medicine and evidence-based skincare and skin treatments
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Regular attendance at national aesthetic dermatology conferences to ensure her patients benefit from the latest safe, evidence-based techniques
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She continues to practise as an NHS GP one day a week to maintain her in-depth general medical knowledge, and bringing the same compassion and holistic perspective to both areas of her work.
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Her approach blends medical clarity with a calm, grounding presence — so every woman feels understood, supported and guided with expertise.
The Avena Approach
Avena Clinic was created by Dr Hen and her husband, Richard, as a sanctuary for women seeking something gentler and more authentic than traditional aesthetics.
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A space where:
Your values come first
Treatment recommendations align with who you are — your beliefs, lifestyle, comfort and identity.
Results remain natural and expressive
You still look like you — just fresher, softer, more balanced.
Regeneration leads the way
Treatments work with your biology, encouraging long-term skin health rather than quick fixes.
Wellbeing is part of the process
Hormones, stress, sleep, nervous system health — it all matters.
Safety and integrity guide everything
No pressure.
No judgement.
No cosmetic trends.
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This is aesthetic medicine done consciously — where science meets soul.
The Avena Story: Created Together
Avena Clinic was created by a husband and wife who share a life, a vision and a deep belief in building something meaningful together.
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Dr Hen and Richard have been together for over 10 years, connected by a partnership rooted in deep love and mutual support. They share a love for wellness and balance — from yoga, sauna and ice-baths to travelling and skiing — while also enjoying quiet evenings together watching their favourite shows.
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They wanted to create a clinic that felt the same way their life feels:
balanced, peaceful, caring and centred on wellbeing.
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And although being married and running a business together has its challenges, their ability to support one another makes it deeply rewarding. They bring out the best in each other, and that energy flows into every part of the clinic experience.​
Dr Hen - the clinical heart of Avena Clinic
Dr Hen brings gentle expertise to every treatment, guiding women with clarity, compassion and a commitment to subtle, authentic results.
Richard - the supportive presence behind the scenes
Richard oversees the non-clinical side of Avena Clinic with calm, attentive focus. His role is to make sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly — from patient experience to operations — so that the care Dr Hen provides feels seamless from start to finish.
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He brings organisation and a quietly steady energy to the clinic. His partnership with Dr Hen is built on communication, respect and shared values, making the running of Avena Clinic together a genuinely purposeful and rewarding experience.
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Together, they’ve shaped a clinic that feels warm, intentional and beautifully aligned — a space created with care at every level.
What Avena Clinic Feels Like
Your consultation with Dr Hen will feel calm, unhurried and deeply supportive.
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Expect:
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time to talk openly
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gentle exploration of your concerns
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clear explanations without jargon
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personalised recommendations
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a plan that feels aligned, not overwhelming
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Women often describe their experience as:
welcoming, calming, reassuring and peaceful
