Therapy for Creatives and Performers in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has one of the most vibrant creative communities in the country. From the legendary comedy training grounds of Second City and iO Theater to the independent theater scene, the music venues of Wicker Park and Logan Square, the gallery districts, the dance companies, and the growing community of independent designers and creative entrepreneurs — Chicago produces and sustains an extraordinary number of working artists and performers.
And yet the emotional demands of a creative life in Chicago are real. The pressure to keep producing, the financial unpredictability of freelance and performance work, the imposter syndrome that persists even after genuine success, the ADHD traits that fuel creativity but make daily functioning harder, and the nervous system cost of putting yourself and your work in front of an audience — these are experiences that most therapists have never personally navigated.
Erin Braden, LCPC specializes in telehealth therapy for creative professionals throughout Chicago and the broader Illinois area. As a fiber artist and the partner of a stand-up comic, she understands the specific texture of creative life — not just clinically, but personally. She works with comedians, actors, dancers, musicians, writers, visual artists, designers, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs navigating the emotional side of their work.
Who Erin works with in Chicago:
- Comedians and stand-up performers
- Theater actors and improv performers
- Dancers and choreographers
- Musicians and recording artists
- Writers, journalists, and authors
- Visual artists and gallery artists
- Designers and creative directors
- Creative entrepreneurs and founder-artists
Common reasons Chicago creatives seek therapy:
- Performance anxiety and stage fright
- Imposter syndrome despite real success
- Creative blocks and loss of inspiration
- Burnout from constant production cycles
- Identity and self-worth tied to artistic output
- Financial stress and career uncertainty
- ADHD affecting creative workflow and follow-through
- Relationship strain from irregular schedules or touring
Therapy at RTPC is not about making you less creative, less intense, or more conventional. It is about helping you build the internal stability that allows your creativity to continue without costing your wellbeing.
All sessions are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth, making it easy to fit therapy into an unpredictable creative schedule — no commute, no waiting room, no rigid office hours.
Erin Braden is licensed in Illinois (LPC #178.016397) and accepts clients throughout Chicago, Evanston, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Oak Park, and the broader Illinois area.