Counseling for Artists, Performers, and Other Creative Individuals: A Guide for Clinicians

Informed by clinical case studies, scientific research, and relevant theories, Counseling for Artists, Performers, and Other Creative Individuals takes an in-depth look at the ways creative traits, the arts and entertainment industries, and mental health interact. This hands-on guide examines many of the issues that afflict creative populations, such as performance anxiety, psychiatric disorders, and occupational stress, with a nuanced understanding of the roles that creativity and the arts play in the lives of these individuals. Each chapter provides examples of specific goals and interventions for clinical practice, including additional space for clinicians to write down ideas tailored to their clients’ unique needs. This is essential reading for practitioners looking to treat creative clients’ psychological difficulties with insight and sensitivity.

Olga E. Gonithellis, MA, LMHC, is a psychotherapist in private practice in New York City, where she specializes in counseling artists, performers, and other creative individuals.