The life of a musician is often romanticised as one of passion and creative freedom. Yet, behind the curtain, a staggering number of artists grapple with the silent epidemic of burnout. Research shows a significant percentage of musicians experience high anxiety and mental health struggles, far exceeding the general population. For a therapy blog, understanding that burnout in this population is less a personal failing and more a systemic and psychological perfect storm is crucial for fostering self-compassion and seeking effective support.

This deep dive explores the interwoven professional and psychological factors that make musicians uniquely vulnerable to chronic stress and exhaustion.

Life can sometimes feel like standing in the middle of a storm. The world around us seems unpredictable, our emotions run high, and the ground doesn’t feel steady. For many people, chaos comes in different forms, a demanding workload, changes in relationships, financial uncertainty, or even the weight of inner struggles that don’t always show on the outside.

When we’re caught in chaos, it’s easy to feel powerless. Yet even in the most turbulent times, there are ways to find small moments of stability , gentle anchors that can remind us we’re still here, still breathing, and still able to move forward one step at a time.

In my work as a psychotherapeutic counsellor—and as someone who also navigates the world as a musician—I’ve come to recognise some of the distinct needs creatives bring into the therapy room. This post explores how we, as therapists, can better hold space for those whose identities are entwined with creativity.

Being highly sensitive isn’t a flaw. It’s not a diagnosis. It’s simply a way of being — one where your nervous system is finely tuned, where you pick up on subtleties others might miss, and where your emotional depth runs deep.

That familiar feeling many of us face, no matter our skill level. The stress of wanting to deliver a flawless performance can trigger feelings of nervousness, self-doubt, and even physical reactions like shaking or feeling sick. Often we can consciously and logically know we have the skills, or practice level to go out there and play perfectly, but unconsciously, something happens deep in our psyche that plays havoc with our physical self.

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