“Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”
-Harville Hendrix, Getting The Love You Want
Therapy for Artists & Creators
Expert Help for Those Who Struggle with Creativity Blocks
Our therapists are experienced in helping people in the arts and entertainment industry of Los Angeles increase confidence in their creative capabilities
As an artist, it’s easy to feel like you’re always expected to be in a perpetual state of creation, effortlessly generating new ideas, images, or words at every turn. There’s a cultural assumption that creativity flows like an unending stream for those blessed with "natural talent." How many times have we heard someone say, “Oh, they’re a writer, it must be easy for them to come up with stories”?
While these sentiments may be well-meaning, they actually add pressure that can be paralyzing for creatives. The expectation to be endlessly creative—to embody the very essence of “artist”—can stifle the artistic process itself. This is particularly true for individuals who have grown up hearing that creativity is an inherent part of their identity. Ironically, those who are frequently praised for their "creative flair" often struggle the most with self-doubt, becoming trapped by an invisible standard.
This burden of expectation can lead to creative block, but not because the artist lacks ideas. The real issue lies in a deeper belief that these ideas are not "good enough" or "original enough." They become trapped in a cycle of second-guessing and perfectionism, convinced that unless something groundbreaking is produced, they don’t deserve the title of “artist.”
In working with many artists and creatives in the Los Angeles area arts and entertainment industry, we find that the key to overcoming these self-imposed barriers is to help individuals reconnect with their personal story and understand that their point of view is worth expressing. Creativity is not a competition to see who can come up with the most novel idea. Rather, it’s about finding authenticity in the way you interpret and express the world around you.
Artists often discover their most impactful work when they allow themselves to lean into their experiences and emotional truths, rather than chasing an impossible ideal of perfect originality. When an artist begins to trust that their perspective is enough, they become free from the shackles of self-doubt and begin to create with more confidence, flow, and joy.