Why Every Creative Needs a Therapist: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Creativity

Creativity is a beautiful thing. It allows us to express ourselves, to experience the full spectrum of our emotions, and to engage with the world around us in new and exciting ways. That said, creativity can be a double-edged sword, especially if you’re making a profession out of it. Making a career out of your creativity is an amazing privilege, but it can also have a dark side. Being a creative professional can come with imposter syndrome, job insecurity, creative blocks, perfectionism, and burnout. 

We’ve all heard the old saying: “You have to suffer for your art.” There’s a pervasive and harmful idea among artists of all types that you have to starve and struggle in order to succeed. As a creative, you “should” be able to handle all of the emotional ups and downs independently, right? But what happens when it becomes too much? When the burnout and big emotions become overwhelming? That’s a surefire sign that it’s time to get help.

I’m a therapist who specializes in working with creatives, and in this blog, I’m going to explore reasons creatives might seek therapy and the benefits of therapy for all creatives -- not just those who have reached their breaking point.

Therapy can be a powerful tool for creatives

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Creativity

Anyone who’s worked as a creative knows that it comes with peaks and valleys. There are the emotional highs like the euphoria that comes when an idea flows and excitement about a new project, and there are lows, like frustration, doubt, and the sting of rejection. Creative work is also deeply personal, which can bring with it vulnerability and uncertainty. You may find yourself afraid of rejection or failure, or questioning why you embarked on this career in the first place.

Alongside the internal highs and lows, there are the external factors that impact creatives throughout their careers: constant criticism, rejection, financial struggles, and juggling multiple projects and deadlines. There’s often a pressure to be constantly innovating and developing your skills that can leave you feeling depleted and behind. Not to mention the continuous challenge of balancing your creative passion with your need to pay your rent and put food on the table. It’s no wonder so many artists struggle to find balance and calm in this hectic industry.

Get help navigating the highs and lows of creativity

Why Therapy?

I’m a firm believer that therapy benefits everyone, especially those in creative fields. Working with artists, I see a lot of the same issues come up -- difficulties with emotion regulation, perfectionism, self-doubt, burnout. So how can therapy help with those things?

• Emotion Regulation: Therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space for creatives to process their emotions, setbacks, and challenges. Therapy can help you identify emotional triggers and develop the skills you need to manage them in a healthy way. 

• Perfectionism: Therapy can help you move past perfectionism and embrace messiness and authenticity. Accepting imperfection creates space for healthy, productive creative expression.

• Self-Doubt: As artists, we are our own biggest critics. Negative self-talk and imposter syndrome may leave you feeling paralyzed. Therapy can help you develop a healthier, more compassionate inner voice and improve your relationship with yourself.

• Burnout: People in creative fields are at a high risk for burnout because these industries demand everything you have to give. Therapy can help you identify the signs of burnout early and develop healthy coping strategies to find your way back to balance.

Therapy Can Enhance Your Creativity

Therapy is vital for improving your overall mental and emotional health, and it can be a great tool for enhancing your creativity as well. Addressing underlying emotional and mental health issues can clear mental clutter, allowing for a freer, more focused creative flow. Learning emotion regulation skills can help you develop a healthier relationship with your emotions, allowing you to tap into them in creative spaces without becoming overwhelmed. Getting in touch with your values in the therapy space can help you develop a clear path forward in your life, both personally and professionally.

Another important skill that therapy can help you develop is boundary setting. A therapist can help you learn to set healthy boundaries around your work and personal life, preventing overwork and enhancing the quality of your creative output. Finding balance by setting boundaries can increase your enjoyment in your creative career and make it more sustainable in the long-run.

Therapy can enhance your creativity

Approaches We Use

As a creative, it’s important to find a therapist whose approach aligns with your needs. Each therapist has a unique approach, and it’s important to find the best match for you. At Rise, we use a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learn mindfulness, flexibility, and acceptance and improve your relationship with your thoughts and feelings.

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Learn practical skills to help you manage distress, regulate your emotions, and improve your relationships with others.

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): Learn to challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with more helpful thoughts that increase your mental and emotional health.

Is Therapy Right for You?

Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis, and you don’t have to wait for things to spiral out of control before you reach out. Therapy is a powerful tool that helps creatives grow, thrive, and improve their mental and emotional health. Do you feel out of touch with your creative spark? Do you feel burned out or overwhelmed by negative self-talk? Maybe you just need someone to talk to. 

If you want to work with a therapist who truly gets it, use this link to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me today!