What exactly am I talking about? Before delving into more specific topics, I wanted to offer some definitions and my perspectives. Think of this as the equivalence of a pretest, only without the test part.

The majority of what I write will concentrate on musicians. I’ll definitely touch on other creative disciplines, but the focus will be musicians. So when I say musicians, I’m talking about a wide variety of people. From the person starting out with an instrument who feels drawn to music without perhaps even knowing why to people who have made music their profession for fifty years, to me, “musician” encompasses people who choose to make meaning in their life through music. A musician never even has to try or want to make the craft a profession–he or she could be content playing and creating within the realm of a hobby or a casual way to pass the time. However, it seems like many musicians want to be able to be recognized for and make a living off of what they love to do. And be honest, who doesn’t want to carve a life out engaging in what makes you happy?

With such a wide range of people being considered musicians for these purposes, future posts may be geared more towards specific subgroups, such as thoughts on dealing with the record company courtship process or maintaining successful relationships with loved ones while spending 250 days on the road. While the topics might not be as universal for our working definition of musician, the overall theme is likely to resonate with a wider population than that being specially discussed.

I’ve been drawn to working with musicians because I’ve seen how music can impact people’s lives. I’ve met countless people who associate memories or periods of their life with songs or artists, friends who truly believe that music has saved their life. My desire is to help musicians stay mentally healthy so they can keep creating music that has that lasting effect. A simple way of looking at it is because music saves lives, and sometimes those saviors need a coach. You never know how a lyric, a melody, an album, a concert can resonate with someone, and I’m saddened by the cases where musicians were cut short from reaching people, regardless of the reason.

Beyond that though, is this idea of the link between creativity and madness or mental illness that has been prevalent throughout history. I’ve come across books and studies attributing different mental illnesses to great artists based off of their works, along with biographical information from the artist and people around them, a far cry from the battery of psychological tests that are regularly used these days. I’m not saying these diagnoses are incorrect, I’m just saying there’s a lot of speculation involved. What I don’t understand is the need to diagnose people, to focus on what’s wrong instead of recognizing and celebrating what’s right. We spend so much time pathologizing musicians and generalizing from the extreme examples, especially in our celebrity-crazy culture. Why not set aside preconceived notions and stereotypes to explore each case on an individual level? And from there, we can collaboratively work at eliminating stressors and maximizing potential.

My hope is that through coaching and through this blog, we can become more proactive in working with musicians instead of pathologizing, introducing therapy at a rock bottom-type stage, or wishing we had stepped in to help someone after it’s become too late.

Before delving into more specific topics regarding musicians, I thought I’d address why I specialize in working with them. First off, let me be frank: I am a music fanatic. I’m the girl at the record store at 11:59pm, waiting for one more minute to pass so I can buy the new release I’ve been anticipating for months. I’ve sat outside venues for hours before doors, albeit usually with other fans, many who’ve become close friends of mine. I’m constantly looking for new artists to add to my ipod and to share with others. I’ve also been able to read situations and respectfully leave people their space. So maybe this serves as a disclaimer too, that I’m that kind of a fan.

Being that kind of a fan has allowed me the observe musicians of all professional levels at close range. I’ve been able to watch the progression of a career, to see musicians at their best and at their worst. I’ve seen bands struggle together and bands fall apart. Even in the role of a fan, I’ve been there to offer an ear to musicians during times of trouble, to brainstorm solutions, and to help them remember why they’re in their chosen profession. Now, I’ve taken educational courses specifically in working with creative people–gaining more knowlege and understanding of specific issues and concerns, as well as earning a Masters in Clinical Psychology, to further learn about what makes us how and who we are. I do believe that musicians should have specialized professionals to work with, much like athletes have sports psychologists.

Putting all that together, I’ve gained an understanding and an appreciation of the musical temperament and a passion for working with musicians to make the most of their talent and opportunities. I’m not here to look for psychopathology or to analyze your relationship with your mother. What I want is to help musicians to help themselves. And that’s a lot of what you’ll find in this blog–analysis of issues that arise specifically for musicians and other creative types and potential solutions, ways to stay mentally healthy, and case study examples of how I’d work with high profile creators. Additionally, I’ll share some of my experiences to highlight and explore the aforementioned areas, and draw on interviews and clinical research to widen the scope of study. Above all, I’d love this to be an interactive blog, so please feel free to leave comments and suggestions, and ask lots of questions. The more we learn about and understand musicians, the more we can offer support and work with them to hone their talents and be successful, both personally and professionally.