ELOISE BALLOU, MD

Creative
Psychiatry
for
Musicians

Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist

for Professional Musicians & Artists

Who I Help

I’m a psychiatrist and psychotherapist for musicians.

I work with musicians and artists who are at a turning point: when something in their personal life is entangled with their creative process and unlocking one helps free the other.

If you are an artist who feels:

Blocked or disconnected from the music you know is inside you
On the cusp of a breakthrough but stuck in patterns that hold you back
At a crossroads where personal struggles are weighing on your art

Then this is where my work is most powerful.

"The object isn't to make art,
it's to be in that wonderful state

which makes art inevitable."

- Robert Henri

Creative Psychiatry for Musicians

For artists at a creative inflection point

My Approach

As both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I bring medical and therapeutic expertise to help you reconnect with your creative source. Together, we uncover what’s in the way, so you can return to making the music only you can make.

I don’t run a general mental health practice. If your primary need is treatment for depression or anxiety outside the context of your creative work, I will gladly connect you to trusted colleagues who specialize in that.

What to expect

Selective, intensive work focused on unlocking creativity, not long-term general therapy.
Psychological and medical support to help align your life and your art.
Confidential, collaborative sessions designed for artists navigating high stakes and deep transitions.

Who I Work Best With

You’re an ideal fit if you:

Are actively writing, recording, performing, or preparing significant creative work
Are at a creative inflection point: on the cusp of growth, change, or breakthrough
Are pushing for the next level in your career or artistry
Are ready to engage in reflective, challenging work that enhances both your mental health and your creative output
See therapy as a catalyst for creative breakthroughs, not just a way to manage symptoms

When It’s Not the Right Fit

My practice is not designed for:

Ongoing crisis management without a creative focus
Long-term stabilization for chronic illness without current creative engagement
Medication-only care without deeper therapeutic work
General therapy for depression or anxiety unrelated to creative work

If your needs fall outside my focus, I can help connect you with other excellent clinicians who specialize in those areas.

What You Can Expect

Sessions draw on my experience as both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, combined with a deep understanding of how creativity and performance work.

Together we’ll:

Tackle what’s in front of you right now
Uncover and shift patterns that hold you back
Build the mental and emotional foundations you need for long-term creative and professional growth
Create the conditions for you to return to making the music only you can make

Why Work With Me

Specialized focus: Very few psychiatrists combine high-level clinical care with specialized work in the psychology of artists.
Creative insight: Years of experience working with world-class musicians and performers.
Full-spectrum care: From crisis intervention to performance readiness and creative alignment.
Purpose-driven work: My deepest aim is not just to relieve symptoms, but to help you unlock the art that only you can make.