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Therapy for Creatives in NYC

Mental Health Support for Artists, Performers, Writers, and Dreamers

This industry asks for everything.

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Your time. Your body. Your vulnerability. Your money. Your joy.

And most of the time, it doesn't give back in equal measure.

At Rise Psychology NYC, we work with creatives because we are creatives.

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We know what it’s like to build a life around your art—and what happens when your mental health gets lost in the shuffle.

No matter if you're auditioning for your next role, recovering from a brutal rejection, or just trying to make space for your art, we see you. And we're here to help.

Performers in an audition

We Get It. This Isn't a "Regular" Job.


Creative work is deeply personal, and we know it doesn't stop at 5 PM. With financial strain and short-term, unpredictable jobs, it often doesn't come with the stability or structure you need. It can be both joyful and taxing, providing you with a creative outlet while demanding every ounce of your heart and soul.

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You might love it and resent it at the same time.

 

You might feel like:

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  • Your whole identity is wrapped up in being "successful"

  • You're constantly chasing gigs, praise, or a competitive edge

  • Everyone else is succeeding, while you're falling behind

  • You can't take a break because the industry will move on without you

  • You're being told you're too much, not enough, or not the right type

  • You're suffering from imposter syndrome or burnout

 

Our sessions won't magically fix everything wrong with the industry, but they can give you the tools to stay grounded, focused, and more in control—no matter what's going on around you.

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We Support Real-Life Creative Challenges

​We regularly work with:

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  • Actors navigating audition rejection, career uncertainty, and body scrutiny

  • Dancers managing performance anxiety, injuries, and career instability

  • Writers dealing with mental blocks, perfectionism, and self-doubt

  • Musicians facing inadequate pay and an avalanche of pressure

  • Multihyphenates balancing gigs, day jobs, and personal relationships

  • Creatives of color coping with systemic bias and industry gatekeeping

  • Queer and trans creatives navigating safety and visibility in non-inclusive spaces

  • Larger-bodied artists dealing with sizeism, shaming, and casting discrimination
     

And so many others. Your path is unique, and your struggles are real and valid At Rise, we understand what it’s like to take an unconventional path, and we’re here to help you navigate yours in a healthy, sustainable way.

A filmmaker is filming an actor
Girl in Therapy

What We Can Offer You

 

Our therapy gives you more than a place to vent. It's somewhere to:

  • Untangle your worth from your productivity or public reception

  • Process rejection and instability without spiraling

  • Explore identity-based trauma in creative and professional spaces

  • Learn how to rest without feeling guilty

  • Reconnect to your creativity without pressure to monetize or perform

  • Set healthier boundaries around work, relationships, and expectations

  • Cope with criticism in a healthier way

  • Develop self-compassion and quiet your inner-critic

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This is your time, your space, and your chance to find balance.

 

At Rise, we’re creative people who understand your lifestyle. We integrate our own creative passions and experiences to offer therapy that is:

  • Culturally aware

  • Body-positive

  • Queer-affirming

  • Trauma-informed

  • Rooted in real-world understanding of the creative industry

Working with someone who understands your unique experiences and can provide thoughtful care tailored to your unique needs can make all the difference.

Not Sure If You Need Therapy?

Black woman singer performing on a stage

​​You don't have to wait until you're burned out or falling apart. Some creatives come to therapy because they:
 

  • Want someone outside their circle to talk to

  • Feel stuck or disconnected from their art

  • Are struggling with loneliness, identity, or meaning

  • Want to break patterns that keep sabotaging their work or relationships

  • Need help managing depression, anxiety, trauma, or ADHD

  • Are exploring big career transitions or asking, "Is it still worth it?"


You don’t have to be in crisis to deserve care. Sometimes it's just time for something to shift from within.

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Here at Rise Psychology NYC, we can help you make that happen.​

What Sessions Are Like​

​We're a small team—just a few of us—and that's intentional. No giant call centers. No feeling like a number on a list. We aim to build genuine long-term relationships with our clients.

 

Sessions are:

  • One-on-one

  • 45-50 minutes

  • Available in-person at our Midtown NYC office

  • Available virtually for anyone in New York and New Jersey states

  • Non-judgmental and completely confidential

 

We're not here to pathologize your ambition or take away your passion. We're here to help you carry it in a way that propels you to the best version of yourself.

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An Asian woman attends a therapy session
Support Group Circle

Still Unsure? We Also Support:

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  • Emerging artists trying to "break in"

  • Neurodivergent creatives (ADHD, autism, dyslexia)

  • Young creatives or recent grads adjusting to post-school life

  • LGBTQIA+ creatives navigating identity in their work

  • Artists of color seeking culturally responsive care

  • Students in MFA, BFA, and conservatory programs

  • Partners or friends of artists who want to understand their world
     

 

Serving New York and New Jersey

With therapists licensed in both New York and New Jersey,  we’re able to offer virtual therapy for busy creatives who are always on the move.

In between gigs? Preparing for a show? Just need to talk to someone and let it all out? Support is just a click away.

 

We're Ready When You Are

If you've been thinking about starting therapy—or starting again—we'd love to hear from you. You don't have to have it all figured out before getting in touch. We're here to figure it out together.

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Book a free consultation to see if we're a good fit. We'll talk about what's going on, what kind of support you're looking for, and how we can help.

There's never been a better time to take the next steps.​​

References & Resources


1. New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): Health & Insurance Resources
https://www.nyfa.org/knowledge-base/emergency-resources/health-insurance-resources/

2. Backstage: Actors and Mental Illness – Advice, Challenges, and Support
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/actors-mental-health-76157/

3. American Psychological Association: The Science Behind Creativity
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/cover-science-creativity

4. Mental Health America
https://mhanational.org/

5. NYC Mayor's Office Mental Health Resources For Performing Artists
https://mentalhealth.cityofnewyork.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/061121-MH-PerformanceArtists.pdf

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