Frequently Asked Questions

ArtistServices sits at the intersection of psychology, creativity, and the entertainment industry. My work is grounded in evidence-based psychotherapy, but it's also informed by more than 30 years of firsthand experience working with artists, executives, and creative people.

Before becoming a therapist, I held senior-level A&R positions at Warner/Chappell Music and Columbia Records/Sony and worked extensively in artist management and television. I've experienced firsthand many of the pressures that accompany creative careers.

I understand that creative people aren't simply looking to become less anxious or more productive. Often, the work is more nuanced: learning how to protect your mental health without losing the parts of yourself that make you creative, ambitious, sensitive, and uniquely you.

You bring your experience. I bring mine. Together, we figure out what helps you live and create at your highest level.

Very unlikely —and that's one of the things that makes ArtistServices different.

Whether you're a musician, songwriter, producer, actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, executive, manager or someone working behind the scenes in entertainment, I understand the world you inhabit.

You don't have to explain what A&R does, why touring can be emotionally complicated, why an audition or a pass on a script can feel so personal, or why professional success doesn't necessarily make anxiety, insecurity or self-doubt disappear.

That shared understanding allows us to spend less time explaining the landscape and more time focusing on you.

Because creative careers can present an unusual combination of psychological pressures.

Financial uncertainty, rejection, creative pressure, performance anxiety, public scrutiny, emotional vulnerability, career instability and the constant intersection of art and commerce can all affect mental health.

At the same time, creativity can be one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of a person's life.

ArtistServices was created to provide therapy that understands both sides of that equation: the extraordinary rewards of a creative life and the emotional challenges that can accompany it.

Not at all.

“Artist” is a broad term. Some people's creativity manifests through music, acting, writing, filmmaking or visual art. Others have careers completely outside the arts but consider creativity an important part of who they are.

ArtistServices works with professional artists and entertainment professionals, but also with what we call creative souls—people who approach their work, relationships and lives with creativity, curiosity and passion.

And you don't have to identify as creative at all. I also work with people from all walks of life who are looking for thoughtful, effective psychotherapy.

Clients come to ArtistServices for many of the same reasons people seek therapy anywhere, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, burnout, life transitions, self-esteem, perfectionism, ADHD, OCD, substance-use concerns and stress.

For artists and creative professionals, we may also work on issues such as performance anxiety, creative blocks, imposter syndrome, rejection, career uncertainty, touring stress, professional identity, public scrutiny and the emotional pressures of sustaining a creative career.

Therapy is tailored to the individual rather than to a job title or diagnosis.

Not at all.

Many people come to therapy because something feels difficult or painful—anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship issues, creative blocks or a major life transition.

Others come because things are actually going reasonably well, but they want to understand themselves more deeply, grow, make an important decision or build a life that feels more sustainable and meaningful.

Therapy doesn't have to be only about treating a crisis. It can also be a place to reflect, evolve, get unstuck and become more fully yourself.

My approach is warm, direct and collaborative.

Rather than applying one therapeutic model to everyone, I tailor the work to the person sitting in front of me. Depending on your needs, I may draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), mindfulness, positive psychology and other evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

I'm interested not only in understanding why something is happening, but in helping you develop practical ways to create meaningful change.

Both.

ArtistServices offers in-person therapy in Culver City, Los Angeles, as well as virtual therapy for clients throughout California.

Some clients prefer the intimacy and connection of being in the room together; others appreciate the flexibility of meeting online. We can determine what works best for you.

Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to psychotherapy and particularly important when working with artists, executives and others in entertainment whose personal and professional worlds may overlap.

What you discuss in therapy is confidential, subject to the limited exceptions required by law and professional ethics.

Discretion is an essential part of the ArtistServices practice.

Yes.

Many artists and entertainment professionals have schedules that don't fit neatly into a traditional 9-to-5 routine. Touring, production schedules, location work, travel and other professional demands can make consistency challenging.

When clinically and legally appropriate, we can discuss ways to maintain continuity of care when your schedule changes. Because psychotherapy licensing rules can depend on where you are physically located at the time of a session, we'll address travel situations individually.

My private-pay rate is $200 per session, and I offer a limited sliding scale for clients who need a lower fee.

I also accept some insurance plans. Contact me and I can let you know whether your particular plan is one I currently accept.

For clients using out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement depend on your individual plan.

Psychotherapy focuses on your mental and emotional health and is provided within a clinical therapeutic relationship.

Artist and executive mentorship is different. It may focus more directly on creative careers, professional decisions, navigating the entertainment industry, leadership or career development.

Because my background spans both psychotherapy and decades of entertainment-industry experience, ArtistServices offers both—but we will be clear about which service we're providing and what the goals of that work are.

In a word: yes. ArtistServices provides psychotherapy related to ketamine treatment, including preparation and integration, when appropriate.

ArtistServices does not prescribe or administer ketamine. Ketamine treatment itself must be provided by an appropriately licensed medical professional (with whom we have close relationships).

You can learn more on our Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy page.

Yes.

In addition to my clinical work, I write and speak about the intersection of mental health, creativity and the entertainment industry. My work and ideas have appeared in publications including Variety, Billboard and Psychology Today, and I've participated in podcasts and other conversations about mental health in the creative community.

I care deeply about moving the conversation around mental health in entertainment forward—not just in the therapy room, but within the industries and culture that shape artists' lives.

Reach out through the ArtistServices contact page, or david@artistservicestherapy.com. We can schedule a complementary call to discuss what brings you to therapy, what you're looking for and whether ArtistServices feels like a good fit.

ArtistServices is located in Culver City, in Los Angeles, near Sony Pictures, with in-person and virtual appointments available.