On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to this weeks guest Dr Toni Pikoos a clinical psychologist, researcher, Co- founder of ReadyMind and public speaker. Toni has a PhD in the intersection of cosmetic procedures, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), mental health and patient satisfaction. Toni is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Swinburne University and a practicing clinical psychologist in Melbourne, specialising in BDD and psychological evaluations for patients undergoing cosmetic surgery and non-surgical procedures. Toni is a proud recipient of the Iain Wallace research Medal for Most Outstanding Doctoral Student, awarded for her PhD. Published in reputable journals including Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, and the International Journal of Eating Disorders. Toni is a world known speaker and educator, being invited to speak at both national and international conferences presenting on BDD and the intersection of psychology and cosmetic procedures.

Dr Pikoos has been involved in advocacy and consulting work to increase psychological safety in the cosmetic industry through her research and consulting with large companies such as Merz Aesthetics and Allergan Aesthetics, among others. She was also involved as a psychological consultant in the AHPRA review into patient safety in the Australian cosmetic industry. Through her social media profile, @thebddtherapist, Toni aims to increase public awareness around BDD and the psychological components to cosmetic procedures. 

On this week’s episode Toni will be speaking about cosmetic surgeries and fostering psychological safety through this process. Differentiating the differences between eating disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder while also looking at their intersections in the presentations of people seeking cosmetic surgeries. As people in Australia and worldwide are increasing their use of cosmetic surgeries a non-surgical procedure, Toni advocates for more psychological supports for people throughout these processes. Toni is also committed to improving people’s self- esteem, body image and people’s relationships with their bodies regardless of people’s use of cosmetic surgeries. So please welcome our next special guest, Toni! 

Podcast Summary 

1.     Body Dysmorphic Disorder vs eating disorders

2.     Editing photos, selfie culture, distorting images and BDD

3.     Cosmetic surgeries and body image dissatisfaction 

4.     The psychological risks during and after the recovery from cosmetic surgeries 

5.     Peer pressure, body based bullying and societal conditioning

6.     Struggling with Body acceptance 

Links to Dr Toni Pikoos:

Websites: 

Readymind.com.au 

Foundationpsychology.com.au

Instagram: @thebddtherapist

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters: 

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email