Therapy for Creatives in NYC: Mental Health Support for Artists, Performers & Writers

Written By Alyssa Digges

Creativity is powerful. It can move people, tell stories, express truth, and create beauty. It can elevate the everyday and give people the opportunity to unlock their deepest emotions. But for many artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and writers in New York City, living a creative life also means carrying unique mental health challenges. The same qualities that fuel creativity, like emotional intensity, sensitivity, and passion, can also make rejection, perfectionism, self-doubt, and burnout feel overwhelming.

As both a therapist and a performer based in Manhattan, I know how heavy this can feel. I understand the pressure of auditions, the vulnerability of putting your art out into the world, and the highs and lows of building a career in NYC’s competitive creative industries. I also know that when mental health struggles take hold, they can make it hard to stay connected to the joy that first drew you to your art.

The good news is that you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy can give you tools, perspective, and support to help you manage these challenges while honoring your creativity. This page is a guide to the most common struggles I see in my work with creatives in NYC, and how therapy can help you navigate them.

A group of ballet dancers on stage

Why NYC Creatives Are Especially Vulnerable to Mental Health Struggles

Every profession comes with stress, whether it’s fast-approaching deadlines, juggling your work and personal life, or working for an especially critical boss. But for creatives in New York, certain pressures make mental health challenges more likely:

  • Emotional vulnerability: Your art is deeply personal, so rejection or criticism can feel like rejection of you.

  • High expectations: Whether it’s from yourself or others in the competitive NYC arts scene, the high expectations placed on you can lead to perfectionism and burnout.

  • Unstable careers: Freelance gigs, auditions, and inconsistent income create ongoing stress and uncertainty.

  • Public judgment: Whether it’s coming from directors, audiences, editors, critics, or social media, creatives experience constant judgment.

  • Isolation: In many creative disciplines, creative work happens alone, which can increase loneliness.

Think about the last time you shared something deeply personal in your art, whether it was a performance, a painting, or a song. That exposure can feel thrilling, but it can also feel terrifying. Unlike many careers, where mistakes or setbacks might be private, creatives often face these experiences publicly, which amplifies the emotional toll.

In New York City, where stages are plentiful but competition is fierce, these challenges are amplified. Without support, these pressures can lead to anxiety, depression, creative blocks, or even a decision to step away from the craft you love. With therapy, you can learn ways to manage the ups and downs, protect your mental health, and keep your art sustainable over the long term. And importantly, you don’t have to explain the creative process to me. As a fellow performer, I already understand the unique mix of excitement, vulnerability, and pressure that comes with it.

Here are a few of the most common challenges I see in my work with creatives, how they may impact you, and how therapy can help. 

Imposter Syndrome in NYC Creatives: Feeling Like a Fraud

Many artists based in NYC tell me, “I don’t feel like I really belong here” or “I just got lucky.” That’s imposter syndrome: the belief that you’re a fraud despite evidence of your accomplishments. I see this in creatives at every level, from student artists to Broadway performers. For many people, no matter how much they’ve accomplished, they experience an ongoing fear that they don’t belong and that they haven’t earned the successes they’ve achieved.

Imposter syndrome in creatives often looks like:

  • Downplaying your successes

  • Constant fear of being “found out”

  • Overworking to prove yourself

  • Struggling to accept praise

For example, a musician might land a major gig but think, “They only picked me because no one else was available.” An actor may book a role on Broadway but spend the whole rehearsal period worrying they’ll be replaced once the director realizes they’re “not good enough.” A student artist may believe that they were selected for their program by mistake and that they will be cut as soon as someone realizes they don’t belong. 

The impact goes beyond uncomfortable thoughts. Imposter syndrome can lead to burnout from over-preparing, avoidance of opportunities that could advance your career, or constant comparison with peers. Over time, it can sap your confidence and leave you disconnected from the joy of your craft.

In therapy, we can work on recognizing these patterns, learning self-compassion, and reconnecting with your “why” as an artist. With support, it’s possible to quiet the inner critic and step fully into your creativity with confidence. 

Learn more in my blog: Imposter Syndrome in NYC Creatives: How Therapy Builds Confidence

Coping with Rejection in the NYC Arts Scene

Rejection is part of every creative journey. Whether it’s not getting the role, receiving criticism on a piece, or being turned down by a gallery or publisher, rejection hurts. In a city like New York, where opportunities and competition are endless, rejection can feel relentless. For creatives, it often feels personal, because your work is an extension of yourself.

Over time, repeated rejection can fuel self-doubt, performance anxiety, and even isolation. Some performers stop auditioning altogether; some writers avoid submitting their work; some artists decide to shrink their creative dreams because the sting of “no” feels unbearable.

Rejection doesn’t have to end your creative journey. Therapy can help you build resilience, separate your worth from external outcomes, and develop healthier ways of coping with the inevitable “no’s” of a creative career in New York City. We might work on reframing rejection as part of the growth process, practicing self-soothing skills for the immediate sting, and exploring how to stay connected with supportive peers or mentors.

It’s important to remember that rejection is not proof that you don’t belong – it’s part of the path every artist walks. When you have the right support, rejection becomes less of a roadblock and more of a stepping stone.

Explore more in my blog: Coping with Rejection: Therapy for Artists & Creatives in NYC

Perfectionism: When High Standards Hold You Back

Striving for excellence can drive growth in the competitive New York arts scene, but perfectionism can keep you stuck. It shows up as over-editing, procrastination, harsh self-criticism, and fear of making mistakes. Many creatives view perfectionism as a necessary part of motivation and success, but more often than not, it hurts the creative process more than it helps.

For many creatives in NYC, perfectionism doesn’t just block progress; it steals the joy from the process of creating. A writer may spend months revising the same chapter, never feeling it’s “ready,” and missing deadlines in the process. A dancer may rehearse obsessively, fearing that one wrong move will prove they aren’t good enough, risking injury and creating pressure so intense they make the mistakes they fear. A songwriter may change the lyrics so many times that they lose track of what the song is even about.

Perfectionism also has an emotional cost. Instead of feeling excited about your work, you may feel constant pressure, anxiety, or dread. Instead of being proud of what you create, you may fixate only on what you believe you got wrong.

Therapy can help you:

  • Notice and challenge perfectionistic thoughts

  • Learn to value process over product

  • Build self-compassion and resilience

  • Reconnect with the deeper values that fuel your art

With the right support, you can learn how to hold onto high standards without letting them smother your creativity. Therapy helps you practice flexibility, embrace mistakes as part of learning, and create with a sense of freedom again.

Read more: Breaking Free from Perfectionism: Therapy for Creatives in NYC

A woman painting who is struggling with perfectionism

Creative Burnout in NYC: When Passion Becomes Pressure

Burnout happens when your energy is depleted and your work feels heavy instead of fulfilling. For artists, writers, and performers in the high-intensity NYC creative industries, burnout can look like:

  • Struggling to find inspiration

  • Feeling emotionally drained or disconnected

  • Losing joy in projects that once felt exciting

  • Constant exhaustion or lack of motivation

One of my former clients discussed burnout with me, saying, “I’ve lost track of why I started doing this in the first place. I know I used to love performing, but I don’t remember what that feels like.” That sentiment stuck with me, because once succeeding becomes necessary to pay your rent, it’s easy to lose the joy and passion that brought you to the art form.

Burnout doesn’t mean you’ve lost your talent or passion. It doesn’t mean you need to stop making art, or find a different profession. It’s a signal that your mind and body need care. Left unaddressed, it can make you want to quit entirely. But with the right tools, it’s possible to recover and create in a more sustainable way.

In therapy, we can look at what’s fueling your burnout, whether it’s overcommitment, lack of rest, or perfectionism, and create a plan for recovery. Together, we’ll explore strategies like boundary setting, self-care that actually works for you, and reconnecting with the deeper values that give meaning to your art.

Dive deeper: Therapy for Creative Burnout in NYC: How Artists, Writers & Performers Can Recover

Performance Anxiety: Overcoming Stage Fright

Even seasoned Broadway performers know the feeling: your stomach flips, your palms sweat, your thoughts race. That’s performance anxiety, also known as stage fright. For actors, musicians, dancers, and other performers, this can turn the excitement of performing into dread.

Performance anxiety isn’t just “nerves.” It’s your body’s fight-or-flight system kicking in at the worst possible time. While it’s normal to feel butterflies, stage fright can grow into avoidance, which may look like canceling gigs, freezing in auditions, or stepping back from performance altogether.

Therapy can help you manage stage fright by:

We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, so you can approach performances with both nerves and confidence. Many clients tell me that therapy doesn’t erase their anxiety, but it transforms their relationship with it, so that instead of holding them back, that energy fuels their performance.

Get strategies in my blog: Overcoming Stage Fright in NYC: Performance Anxiety Tips for Musicians, Actors & Performers

How Therapy Supports Creatives in NYC

In my work with artists in New York, and through my own experience performing, I’ve noticed how the emotional ups and downs of the artistic journey are often viewed as necessary for creating meaningful work. That artists are meant to struggle for their art, and that therapy stifles the creative process. This couldn’t be further from the truth. A therapist who truly understands the creative process and the realities of an artistic career can help you thrive in every area of life. In our work together, you’ll find:

  • A safe, judgment-free space where you don’t have to perform.

  • Tools for emotion regulation to manage stress and anxiety.

  • Support for setting boundaries that protect your energy.

  • Ways to reconnect with your values so your art feels meaningful again.

  • Strategies to build resilience for rejection, criticism, and self-doubt.

As a therapist who is also a performer, I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience. I understand what it’s like to put yourself on stage or share something deeply personal with the world. That unique perspective allows me to support you in ways that honor both your artistry and your mental health.

In my work with creatives, I use acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which focuses on developing flexibility and living by your values, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which teaches concrete skills for emotional regulation, mindfulness, and resilience. These evidence-based approaches work especially well for the highs and lows of creative life.

Therapy for creatives isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about helping you create in a way that’s sustainable, joyful, and aligned with what matters most to you. If this resonates with you, reach out to me today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll talk about what it might be like for us to work together and how therapy can help you.

A woman sitting on a couch talking to a therapist

Taking the First Step

If you’re a creative in New York State and you’ve been struggling with one of the challenges mentioned here, or any other difficulties that arise in your daily life, you don’t have to carry it alone. Therapy can give you the space and tools to care for your mental health and reconnect with the joy of your craft.

Reaching out for support doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re ready to honor your creativity and protect your well-being. The skills you learn in therapy don’t just help you as an artist; they help you build resilience, set boundaries, and develop insight into who you are as a person and what you truly want.

If you’re interested in learning more about therapy, reach out today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Together, we can find balance, build resilience, and help you thrive in both your creative work and your personal life.

FAQs

Are there therapists in New York who specialize in working with artists?

Yes. In fact, New York City has a growing community of therapists who specialize in supporting artists, performers, and creatives. Many of us, myself included, have firsthand experience in the performing arts, which allows us to understand the unique pressures of auditions, shows, galleries, and publishing deadlines. At Insight Therapy NYC, I blend clinical expertise with lived creative experience, so you don’t have to spend session time explaining what it means to put yourself on stage or share deeply personal work in an audition room. Working with a therapist who specializes in creatives means that therapy becomes a space where your artistry is honored, and your mental health is fully supported.

What if therapy makes me less creative?

This is a common worry for artists, but in reality, therapy tends to enhance creativity rather than diminish it. Stress, self-doubt, and burnout are some of the biggest creativity blockers, and therapy provides tools to reduce their impact so you can focus more fully on your work. Many clients actually discover that once they have healthier coping skills, they feel freer to take risks, experiment, and reconnect with the joy of creating. Far from dampening your spark, therapy helps you access your artistry with more authenticity and less fear, whether you’re preparing for a show in Brooklyn, submitting work to a publisher, or stepping into a Manhattan rehearsal studio.

How can therapy help me cope with rejection in NYC?

Rejection is unavoidable in the New York arts world, whether it’s from casting directors, critics, galleries, or publishing houses. Therapy helps you process these experiences without letting them define your worth as an artist or person. Together, we can explore practical tools for managing the immediate sting of rejection, as well as longer-term strategies to build resilience and perspective. Therapy also provides a safe space to reconnect with your values, so you can stay motivated even when the “no’s” feel relentless. Over time, this work allows you to keep moving forward with more confidence, balance, and clarity in a city where competition is fierce but opportunities are abundant.

Can therapy help with performance anxiety in NYC auditions?

Absolutely. Many performers in New York struggle with stage fright or audition nerves, and therapy offers concrete tools to manage them. We might work with grounding exercises, breathing techniques, or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) strategies to help you focus on the present moment rather than self-critical thoughts. Therapy can also help you develop personalized pre-performance rituals – something you can take with you into an audition room, rehearsal, or stage in Manhattan. Over time, you learn not to eliminate nervous energy (which isn’t realistic), but to channel it into a source of focus and presence, so you can perform at your best.

Do NYC therapists understand the financial pressures creatives face?

Yes. Living and working as an artist in New York often means navigating freelance gigs, survival jobs, and unpredictable income, all of which can take a toll on mental health. As a therapist who specializes in working with creatives, I understand how financial stress interacts with self-worth, burnout, and even creative block. In therapy, we’ll look at both the emotional challenges and the practical realities, such as setting boundaries with unpaid work, managing self-care on a tight budget, and balancing art-making with day jobs. Acknowledging these pressures is an important part of supporting NYC creatives in building a life and career that feels sustainable.

Resources

Alyssa Digges

Alyssa Digges is a therapist and performer based in New York City who specializes in the mental health of artists, actors, musicians, and writers. With both clinical expertise and lived experience in the performing arts, Alyssa understands the unique pressures creatives face. She offers individual therapy as well as consulting, workshops, and training for theatre programs and arts organizations, helping creatives build resilience and reconnect with the joy of their craft while protecting their mental health.


https://insighttherapynyc.com/meet-alyssa-digges-mhc
Previous

Affordable Alternatives to Expensive Couples Counseling in NYC
Next

How to Find Affordable, High-Quality In-Person Therapy in NYC (Without Insurance)