Blackburn Clinical Services provides one-on-one therapy and psychiatric care for writers, visual artists, musicians, designers and other creatives in Los Angeles whose income and schedule change from month to month. We help with anxiety about money and the next job, depression between projects, the sting of rejection, creative blocks, burnout during crunch periods, ADHD, and drinking or other use that has become part of how you cope. Call (888) 870 7405 or email info@blackburnclinical.com.
At a glance
- Who we see: novelists, screenwriters, journalists and copywriters, visual artists, musicians and composers, designers, photographers, and anyone building a creative career on freelance or project work.
- What we help with: anxiety, depression, burnout, creative blocks, ADHD, sleep problems and substance use.
- Where: Therapy takes place in our office at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, in Mar Vista near Culver City, Venice and Santa Monica, or by secure video for clients located in California.
- Psychiatry: Psychiatric evaluation and medication management are provided by our board certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. When you call, we explain how psychiatry appointments are arranged.
- Fees: We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills. See Fees and Insurance.
- First step: call (888) 870 7405 or email info@blackburnclinical.com to schedule an assessment.
Irregular income is a mental health issue, not just a budgeting one
Creative work is often freelance work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 65 percent of writers and authors are self-employed and notes that freelancers may face the pressure of juggling multiple projects while continually looking for new work. For actors, the bureau notes that many struggle to find steady work, that part-time work is common, and that periods of unemployment between roles are typical.
Living with that uncertainty wears on people. Feast and famine cycles can keep you on constant alert: overworking when work comes in, then sliding into worry, low mood and self-doubt when it stops. Rejection is constant and public. Work and identity are tightly bound, so a pass on a script or a slow month can feel like a verdict on who you are. None of that means something is wrong with you, but it is a good reason to have support that is steady even when the work is not.
What therapy can help with
- Money anxiety and the next gig. Constant scanning for the next job, dread opening email, or trouble resting even when things are going well.
- Depression between projects. The drop after a launch, a wrap or a deadline, and long gaps without structure.
- Rejection and comparison. Notes, passes, reviews and social media feeds that turn into a running case against yourself.
- Creative blocks and procrastination. Often driven by perfectionism, anxiety or attention problems rather than a lack of talent. If attention has always been a struggle, ADHD testing is available in person at our office.
- Burnout. Saying yes to everything because you cannot predict next month, then running out of energy for your own work.
- Alcohol and other substances. Using to unwind after long sessions, to perform or to create. We treat substance use and mental health together; see addiction psychiatry.
How care fits a creative schedule
- One-on-one therapy. Sessions in our office or by secure video for clients located in California using approaches such as CBT, DBT and ACT, chosen for you. See therapy at Blackburn.
- Scheduling. We offer flexible scheduling and work around writing blocks, sessions, shoots and day jobs within our weekday hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Medication when it helps. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management, coordinated with therapy.
- More support in a hard stretch. The Concierge Outpatient Program offers 3 to 5 hours a week of one-on-one care with no groups.
- Costs. We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills. If you buy your own health plan, check its out-of-network mental health benefits before you start, and ask us about fees when you call.
People who work in film, television and music production can also see therapy for actors and entertainment professionals, and business managers or agents who want to suggest care to a client can see for entertainment business managers.
Musicians who perform and tour can also see therapy for musicians and touring performers.
Questions
Do you only see people in the entertainment industry?
No. We welcome writers, visual artists, musicians, designers, photographers and other creatives, whether or not they work in film or television.
Will therapy make me less creative?
Many creatives worry about this. Therapy focuses on what is getting in the way for you, such as anxiety, low mood or substance use, and you and your clinician decide together on goals and any medication.
My income is unpredictable. How do fees work?
We are an out-of-network practice and provide superbills you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Call us to discuss fees before you schedule. See Fees and Insurance.
Can you help with procrastination and creative blocks?
Yes. Blocks are often tied to anxiety, perfectionism, depression or attention problems. An assessment helps sort out which, and ADHD testing is available if it seems relevant.
Is what I say in therapy private?
Yes. Anything we share with anyone outside your care team happens only with your written permission.
Get started
Call (888) 870 7405, email info@blackburnclinical.com or contact us. Blackburn Clinical Services is at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency.