Counselling and coaching
for musicians and the music industry
I offer therapy and coaching to people in and around the music industry, from singers and musicians to producers, touring personnel, label executives and managers.
My clients have also worked in broader creative industries including acting, TV, photography, advertising, journalism, literature and digital media.
As a therapist I work integratively and draw on therapeutic styles like person-centred, psychodynamic and existential therapies, along with CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy, with coaching an option too.
If you’re in London I can see you in-person (from my rooms in Shoreditch or Haggerston). If you’re somewhere else, on the move, overseas or would simply prefer to see me online, we can use Zoom.
Music industry counselling: my background
It can be helpful to have a confidential, non-judgemental space with a therapist who speaks your language and understands your world.
Before training as a therapist I spent more than two decades working with and around musicians and others in the music industry, initially as a music journalist then later behind the scenes in areas like artist development and media training.
The latter led me to train first as a coach, then as a counsellor. I’m a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS Acc.), and I’m accredited at practitioner level with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
On the music side of things, I’m a member of the Music Industry Therapist Collective, I’m a registered BAPAM practitioner, and I also work with Music Support.
Issues I work with
I’m experienced in working with challenges relevant to musicians including self-esteem, inner critic, status, identity, fame, performance anxiety, relationships with band members and fans, burnout, social media and more.
Beyond that, I can apply my understanding of your unique circumstances as we work through the broader kind of issues that life can throw at anyone.
I’m also trained in working with couples and relationships, so if you and a bandmate or professional colleague are having a difficult time we could discuss working together on that.
Music Industry Therapists
I’m part of the Music Industry Therapist Collective, who provide support, consultancy and training for people in and around the music industry. All MITC members have an inside understanding of how the industry works.
Help Musicians Co-Pilot
Since 2020 I’ve worked with a number of emerging musicians through Help Musicians’ Co-Pilot Mentoring Network, which offers free sessions to musicians and runs in partnership with the Ivors Academy and Universal Music.
Touring & Mental Health
I contributed a chapter to Touring & Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual, edited by Tamsin Embleton. I was also an editor on Rhian Jones and Lucy Heyman’s Sound Advice: The Ultimate Guide To A Healthy And Successful Career In Music.
Counselling or coaching?
The work we do together might depend on what you’ve been through, what you’re facing right now and where you’d like to get. Counselling is often about making sense of the past and present, while coaching can start with where you are now, and work towards how you’d like things to be in the future.
For some clients a combination can be helpful — I’m trained in a framework for integrating counselling and coaching, allowing us to develop our work at the right pace. We’ll be able to figure out what approach feels best. If you’ve got questions about how it’ll all work, I’ll be happy to talk you through it.
Getting in touch
If you’re interested in working with me you’re welcome to drop me a line on hello@peterrobinsontherapy.com, or using the form on this page.
If you’re ready to book an introductory Zoom call, you can click here to do that.
My FAQ might answer some of your initial questions. It includes information on practicalities like pricing and locations.
