Aesthetic practice requires an understanding of human psychology, yet professionals across cosmetic medicine and related fields receive no formal training in identifying and managing psychological conditions. Essential Psychiatry for the Aesthetic Practitioner provides concise yet comprehensive guidance on approaching patient assessment, identifying common psychiatric diseases, and managing challenging situations in cosmetic practice. This much-needed guide brings together contributions by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other experts to help practitioners understand the role of psychology in cosmetic practice and improve interpersonal relations with their patients. 

Assuming no previous background knowledge in psychiatry, the text provides cosmetic practitioners of all training and experience levels with clear guidance, real-world advice, and effective psychological tools to assist their practice. Through common clinical scenarios, readers 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. 

• 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  

Evan A. Rieder, MD, is a board-certified Dermatologist and Psychiatrist. He is a full-time faculty member of the New York University Department of Dermatology, where he practices cosmetic and medical dermatology, teaches the next generation of physicians, and contributes to the scientific literature and popular media.  

Richard G Fried MD, PhD, is a clinician, researcher, and teacher. He is a board-certified Dermatologist and Clinical Psychologist with numerous publications in professional journals. 

Contributors

Preface

The Basics:

1. Stress, Skin, & Beauty: The Basic Science Base

Mary D. Sun BSE, BA and Evan A. Rieder MD

2. The Science and Psychology of Beauty

Vanessa Cutler MD, MPH

3. The Use of Cosmetic Products

Zoe Diana Draelos MD

4. An Approach to Cosmeceuticals

Emily C. Milam MD and Evan A. Rieder MD

Assessment:

5. Aesthetic Assessment & Theories of Beauty

Michael Abrouk MD, Leslie Harris MA, and Jill S. Waibel MD

6. The Cosmetic Consultation: Anatomy & Psychology – The Female Patient

Eagan Zettlemoyer MS and Noelle S. Sherber MD

7. The Cosmetic Consultation: Anatomy & Psychology – The Male Patient

Kalee Shah MD, Nathaniel Lampley III BS, Anthony Rossi MD

8. The Cosmetic Consultation: Anatomy & Psychology – The Transgender Patient

Brian Ginsberg MD

Perception:

9. Aesthetic Interventions and the Perception of the Self: Quality of Life and Patient Reported Outcomes

Danielle Weitzer DO and Rick Fried MD, PhD

10. Aesthetic Interventions and the Perception of Others: Observer Reported Outcomes

Payal Shah BS and Evan A. Rieder MD

11. Botulinum Toxins: Beauty, Psychology, & Mood in the Cosmetic Patient

Catherine Pisano MD, Jason Reichenberg MD, Michele Magid MD

Psychological Challenges in Aesthetics:

12. Boundaries

Evan A. Rieder MD and Jacob Sacks MD

13. Difficult Personalities and Personality Disorders in the Cosmetic Clinic

Mio Nakamura MD and John Koo MD

14. Normative Discontent and Social Dysmorphia in the Cosmetic Patient

Susruthi Rajanala MD and Neelam Vashi MD

15. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Body Dysmorphic Disorder in the Cosmetic Patient

Mary D. Sun BSE, BA and Evan A. Rieder MD

16. Protecting Your Patients: When Enough Is Enough -- Saying No and Satisfying the Dissatisfied Patient

Jacqueline Watchmaker MD, Prasanthi Kandula MD, and Michael S. Kaminer MD

17. Protecting Yourself: Legal Issues in Aesthetic Medicine – Informed Consent, Discharge, & Lawsuits

Brian P. Hibler MD and Matthew M. Avram MD, JD

Psychological Tips & Tricks:

18. Psychological Tools to Assist your Practice: Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Deep Abdominal Breathing, Mindfulness, & Guided Imagery

Nicholas Brownstone MD, Bridget Myers BA, and Josie Howard MD

19. Hypnotic Techniques for the Aesthetic Practitioner

Philip D. Shenefelt MD

20. Acceptance & Commitment Therapy in the Aesthetic Setting

Vanessa Cutler MD, MPH

21. Behavioral Modification for Acne Excoriee & Skin Picking

Karen M. Ong MD, PhD, Mary Sun BSE, BA, and Evan A. Rieder MD

22. Motivational Interviewing for Identification & Triage of the Cosmetic Addict

Rick Fried MD, PhD and Evan A. Rieder MD

23. Beauty through the Life Continuum

Doris Day MD, MA

Index