The music industry and performers
Specialist therapy for artists, music executives and crew.
Working in the music industry can be exhilarating. When a record finally comes together or a performance truly lands, it can feel extraordinary!
You might come to therapy to explore your creative process, performance anxiety or your relationship to your art. Often, the difficulties lie not with the music itself, but with everything that comes around it: high expectations, relentless promo schedules, touring stress, lifestyle factors, the pressure to maintain relevance and, of course, the industry politics. The effect on your mental and physical health can be profound.
It may be that the very thing that brings you joy also wears you down.
It’s an industry that many people dream of, but few outsiders truly understand. That’s why I founded Embleton Psychotherapy: to provide specialist therapy for musicians, music executives and production crew. Working with a therapist who really ‘gets it’ can save time, allowing us to focus quickly on what matters most. Therapy is a place where you don’t have to be anyone particular - you can simply be yourself.
How musicians, performers, executives and crew use psychotherapy.
Finding your voice.
You may be able to express yourself well through your music, yet find it harder to do so elsewhere. Working in music means encountering strong opinions that can sometimes drown out your own inner voice. Pressure can build, fuelled by inner critics, competition, envy and the scrutiny of the press and audiences. Therapy can help you articulate your needs, advocate for yourself and remain grounded in who you know yourself to be.
Finding your pace.
Finding your pace When momentum builds it’s exciting! This is what you’ve worked for. After a while, though, it can feel like a runaway train. You may realise that things won’t slow down unless you do so intentionally. That can be difficult when the machine around you is whirring at full speed. Therapy offers a place to step back for a moment, observe what is happening and consider what might need to change.
Finding your people
Relationships in music can be informal and complex. Hierarchies exist but are not always obvious, and conditions often exist without being openly discussed. You might feel adored but not cared for. In therapy we can think carefully about the nature of your relationships and navigate collaboration, trust and conflict in an industry where boundaries between work and personal life are often blurred.
Rooted in lived experience.
Before training as a psychotherapist, I spent many years working backstage in music venues and at music festivals, on tour and in recording studios. My own ambition as a musician ended early on when I realised I felt far more comfortable offstage. These days I find creativity in my therapy practice, helping people see their lives and situations from new perspectives.
Alongside knowledge built in extensive clinical training and skills honed working with clients with complex needs, my background in music gives us a shared frame of reference. We speak the same language. The rhythms and realities of your work are familiar, as are the underlying motivations. This helps my clients to feel safe, seen and supported.