May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s as good a time as ever to reflect on how you’re holding up. As a creator, you’re used to channeling what’s inside into music that connects with people. That can be emotionally intense work in the best of times. If times are tough, or you just need help working through an issue, talk therapy – discussing feelings and emotions with a mental health professional – can be a great option.

Through our ASCAP Wellness Program partner MD Live, you can find a licensed therapist to get support for hundreds of mental health needs, including addiction, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, panic disorders, relationship issues, stress management and more.

Here are five reasons why music creators should consider talk therapy, provided by MD Live.

1. Therapy is proven to be effective.

Studies consistently prove that therapy is effective in producing long-term health improvements. In fact, over 75% of patients who seek help with an MD Live mental health professional report feeling better after just three visits.^[1]

2. Therapy helps with day-to-day challenges, too.

You don’t need to have severe mental health issues or suffer from a crisis to benefit from therapy. Everyone can feel better by talking to a caring professional, whether it’s to overcome trauma or just make better decisions.

A therapist can help you work through difficulties with your bandmates, overcome writer’s block, make more productive choices, and set achievable goals for your music career. Because therapy can increase your problem-solving skills and confidence, it can also help you feel stronger when you’re facing challenges.

+ A Beginner’s Guide to Therapy for Music Creators

3. Therapy improves overall health and well-being.

Being proactive about your mental health is essential for your long-term physical health. The American Heart Association recently noted that people who report positive mental health were more likely to have lower blood pressure, better blood sugar levels, and fewer physical symptoms of stress, including migraines, digestive troubles and insomnia.^[2] That's an especially big deal for musicians, who need their bodies in good shape to maintain a high level of performance in the studio and on tour.

+ The Difference Between "Bad" and "Good" Stress

4. More people use therapy than you might think.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, of the 59.3 million US adults living with a mental illness in 2022, some 30 million (50.6%) had received mental health treatment in the previous year.^[3] Additional studies have shown that talk therapy is on the rise for many demographics, especially for adults with mild or moderate mental distress.^[4]

5. ASCAP members get discounts on virtual therapy through MD Live.

Making an appointment for therapy can be a difficult first step for many people. Often, it can take weeks to get an appointment, and it may be hard to find the right therapist. Through ASCAP’s partnership with MD Live, ASCAP members and eligible dependents can receive discounted pricing on virtual mental health consultations.

Get your first appointment in less than a week, and choose from a network of hundreds of licensed therapists. See the same therapist for every session, or switch at any time to find a better fit.