Rhinoplasty changes more than a nose.
A psychological assessment before rhinoplasty ensures you arrive at surgery with clear motivations, realistic expectations, and a strong psychological foundation. Available via phone or telehealth anywhere in Australia.
I understand this wasn’t something you planned for.
A psychological assessment probably wasn’t part of how you imagined your surgery journey. For many people it feels like an unexpected step. It is worth understanding why it is there.
In 2023, AHPRA introduced updated standards requiring psychological screening as part of responsible cosmetic surgical practice in Australia. Those standards have since been extended. The assessment is now a recognised part of good surgical care, not an optional add-on.
What the research consistently shows is that people who arrive at surgery with a clear sense of their own motivations, realistic expectations, and some psychological preparation for recovery have significantly better experiences than those who don’t. This conversation is not about whether you are ready to be approved. It is about making sure the surgery works for you in the fullest sense, and that you have support through every part of what comes after.
Rhinoplasty carries a particular emotional weight.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic procedures in Australia and one of the most psychologically complex. The nose is a central feature of the face, it shapes how people perceive themselves and how they believe they are perceived by others. Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, dissatisfaction following rhinoplasty is disproportionately high among patients who are seeking the procedure for reasons that psychology can identify in advance.
Research consistently shows that outcomes are significantly better when patients have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot change, when their motivation is genuinely internal rather than driven by external pressure, and when there is no underlying body image difficulty that surgery is unlikely to resolve. A pre-surgical psychological assessment identifies these factors before the procedure, not after it.
The assessment is not a gate. It is the same kind of preparation your surgeon does with surgical planning, applied to the psychological dimension of the decision.
See also: Body image, BDD and cosmetic surgery →
Six areas. One 60-minute conversation.
Motivation
What is driving the decision, and whether that driver is likely to be satisfied by the surgical outcome.
Expectations
Whether your understanding of the realistic outcomes of rhinoplasty aligns with the evidence, including the limits of what surgery can achieve.
Body image
Your broader relationship with your appearance, and whether any indicators of Body Dysmorphic Disorder are present.
Social influences
Whether external pressures, from relationships, social media, or life circumstances, are playing a significant role in the decision.
Mental health history
Any history of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or other conditions relevant to surgical decision-making and post-surgical adjustment.
Post-surgical adjustment
Your psychological readiness for the recovery period, including swelling, bruising, and the time before the final result is visible.
A same-day clinical report. Three clear outcomes.
The assessment is designed to integrate cleanly into your pre-surgical process. A written clinical report is provided on the same day as the assessment and can be sent directly to your practice. The report provides one of three outcomes, Approved, Defer, or Further Support Recommended, with clinical rationale, outcome notes, and where relevant, a recommended pathway forward.
Zero cost to referring practices.
The assessment is billed directly to the patient. Referrals can be made via email or by directing patients to this page. Same-day reports are standard. If you need a specific report format for your practice, please contact us directly.
Phone or telehealth. Same-day report. $315.
Request
Complete the short form on this page. Surgeon-referred and self-referred patients both welcome. No referral required.
Assessment
A 60-minute conversation via phone or secure telehealth video. Available to patients anywhere in Australia. No travel required.
Report
Written clinical report provided on the same day. Sent to you and directly to your surgeon's practice if required.
One fee. Complete support from first conversation through the months that follow.
$315 covers the full arc of your experience with this practice. There are no additional charges for what comes after the report. No other cosmetic psychology service in Australia currently offers this level of continuity at this fee.
Your consultation. A 60-minute conversation via phone or telehealth, wherever you are in Australia.
Liaison with your surgical team. Direct communication with your surgeon’s practice, included.
Written report, same business day. Your surgery shouldn’t be delayed by the assessment. It won’t be.
Post-surgery follow-up. A dedicated conversation once you’re through the procedure and into recovery.
Six months of ongoing support. Psychological support through recovery and adjustment at no additional cost.
Frequently asked
Many rhinoplasty surgeons request a psychological assessment as part of their pre-surgical process. A psychological assessment is not always mandatory, but it provides both patient and surgeon with a clear picture of psychological readiness and risk factors that may affect satisfaction with the outcome. 87% of patients assessed receive an Approved outcome.
The assessment is a 60-minute conversation via phone or telehealth covering motivation, expectations, body image, social influences, mental health history, and readiness for the recovery process. A written clinical report with one of three outcomes, Approved, Defer, or Further Support Recommended, is provided on the same day.
The assessment is 60 minutes, conducted via phone or secure telehealth video. There is no in-person requirement. A written clinical report is provided on the same day and can be sent directly to your surgeon's practice.
Yes. The assessment is available to rhinoplasty patients anywhere in Australia via phone or telehealth. Patients in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and all other locations are welcome. Most appointments are available within a few days of enquiry.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a condition characterised by preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance. Research shows that patients with BDD have significantly lower satisfaction rates following rhinoplasty, and the procedure often does not alleviate their distress. Identifying BDD before surgery allows for appropriate psychological support and prevents unnecessary intervention.
Ready to take the next step?
A 60-minute assessment via phone or telehealth. Same-day report. Available anywhere in Australia.