Essential Psychiatry for the Aesthetic Practitioner: A Comprehensive Guide

By Evan A. Rieder, Richard G. Fried

Aesthetic practice requires a deep understanding of human psychology, yet professionals in cosmetic medicine and related fields often receive little to no formal training in identifying and managing psychological conditions. This knowledge gap can have significant consequences for both practitioners and patients.

The Importance of Psychiatry in Aesthetic Practice

The absence of formal psychiatric training can lead to misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and poor patient outcomes. It’s essential for aesthetic practitioners to understand the role of psychology in cosmetic practice to provide better care and improve interpersonal relationships with their patients.

Essential Psychiatry for the Aesthetic Practitioner fills this knowledge gap by providing cosmetic practitioners with concise yet comprehensive guidance on approaching patient assessment, identifying common psychiatric diseases, and managing challenging situations in cosmetic practice.

A Collaborative Approach to Aesthetic Care

This much-needed guide brings together contributions from dermatologists, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other experts to help practitioners understand the psychological implications of cosmetic treatments and improve patient care.

Assuming no previous background knowledge in psychiatry, the text provides clear guidance, real-world advice, and effective psychological tools to assist practitioners of all training and experience levels.

Practical Applications for Aesthetic Practitioners

Through common clinical scenarios, readers will learn to:

• Determine if a patient is a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure
• Enhance the patient experience
• Deal with difficult personalities in the cosmetic clinic
• Recognize obsessive-compulsive and body dysmorphic disorders
• And more

The guide also:

• Describes how to use psychologically informed approaches and treatments for aesthetic patients
• Features easy-to-use psychological tools such as motivational interviewing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and acceptance and commitment therapy
• Includes extensive references and practical tips for understanding the psychological implications of cosmetic treatments
• Covers cosmetic consultations for female, male, and transgender patients
• Discusses the history and psychology of beauty as well as the role of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals
• Emphasizes the importance of screening for common psychological comorbidities
• Addresses the impact of social media on self-image and its role in a growing crisis in beauty and appearance
• Highlights the need to develop new guidelines to treat rapidly evolving patient populations
• Explores how gender fluidity and variations in ethnicity are changing the approaches to aesthetic patients

Essential Psychiatry for the Aesthetic Practitioner is required reading for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, cosmetic doctors, dentists, nurses, and physician assistants working in aesthetic medicine.