Cosmetic Psychotherapy: The Ethical Considerations of Therapy Without a Presenting Problem

As stigma around therapy decreases, a new profile of prospective clients is emerging—individuals who seek therapy not to alleviate distress, but to enhance an already satisfying life. Popular media increasingly portrays therapy as “cool,” and even “trendy.” This shift raises important questions: How should clinicians approach treatment when there’s no traditional presenting problem?

This 3-hour continuing education workshop explores the concept of cosmetic psychotherapy—therapeutic work aimed at optimizing personal performance, deepening self-awareness, or accelerating self-actualization rather than treating impairment. Drawing parallels to cosmetic surgery and cosmetic psychopharmacology, we’ll examine how this form of therapy challenges conventional notions of clinical need and intersects with ethics, medicalization, and market demand.

Through discussion, case examples, and ethical analysis, participants will gain tools to navigate the unique considerations of cosmetic psychotherapy. We will explore potential benefits, risks, and the broader systemic implications for the field. By the end of the training, clinicians will be equipped to engage in informed, reflective practice when working with clients who are “well” but seeking to become “better.”

This introductory continuing education web conference is designed to help mental helth professionals:

1. Define the concept of cosmetic psychotherapy.
2. Describe the medicalization process and its relevance to the field of psychotherapy.
3. Discuss the ethical risks and benefits of the practice of cosmetic psychotherapy.

COURSE AGENDA:

• Where the concept of cosmetic psychotherapy started
• Defining what it is and what it involves
• Medicalization and disease mongering with a participant activity
• Brief break followed by question and answer period
• Risks and advantages of cosmetic psychotherapy
• Wrap up and final questions 

Declaration identifying any potential conflict of interest and/or commercial support: The presenter of this training has no relevant financial or commercial conflicts of interest to disclose. This training is designed solely for educational purposes and does not promote any specific therapeutic product, service, or organization.

Statement of content's accuracy, utility, and/or most commons risks: This training presents clinical and scientific information on dyadic coping in couples facing illness, drawing from empirical research. The material is intended for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their work with couples navigating medical and emotional challenges. While research supports the effectiveness of dyadic coping interventions in improving relationship quality and emotional well-being, outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. Therapists should exercise clinical judgment in applying these concepts, as misinterpretation or misapplication could lead to unintended relational strain or emotional distress for clients.

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact GoodTherapy here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

3 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2025 – 3/30/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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