Production Wellbeing Practitioner

Productions tackling intense themes must provide strong support for all involved. A qualified psychotherapist experienced in performing arts offers more than wellbeing checks, creating a therapeutic space with clinical and ethical care. A Production Wellbeing Practitioner advises Heads of Department and Producers on duty of care, supporting mental health and resilience for a healthier work environment. Unlike many facilitators, Victoria, a registered psychotherapist, can provide one-on-one and group therapy, helping creatives process emotional challenges during development, rehearsals, or filming. This support builds resilience and clarity, enhancing artistic engagement and vision.

“Wessex Grove first started working with Applause for Thought on the West End production of A Little Life, and it is no exaggeration to say that the care, dedication, and resources they gave the company, on stage and off, were exemplary. Throughout the 137 performances in London, their team offered essential mental health and wellbeing support to a company of over 30 people, as well as ATG’s front of house teams.”

-Tom Powis, Wessex Grove

Production Impact

We are often working quietly in the background, offering support behind the scenes of projects that are very much in the public eye. It meant a great deal to us that Michael Longhurst chose to acknowledge our work in the recent PBS Behind the Scenes feature on Next to Normal.

We deliberately maintain a low profile when working on productions to create safe, supportive spaces where the work can take root and flourish discreetly. That said, reflections like his are incredibly valuable, they help others understand the impact of what we do and allow the work to grow and reach more people.

Not all shows necessitate therapeutic support, as many can effectively engage audiences without the need for deeper emotional interventions. However, there are instances where certain productions could benefit from enhanced support strategies to better address complex themes or character development. For example, productions tackling mental health, trauma, or familial relationships often require nuanced portrayals and sensitive handling to ensure audiences connect with the material in a meaningful way. Ensuring that these narratives are supported by trained professionals can enrich the viewer's experience and foster a deeper discussion around the topics presented.

Learn more…

  • All our PWP’s (Production wellbeing practitioners) are BACP or UKCP registered psychotherapists and have extensive experience in the arts.

  • This is very dependent on the needs of the production. The PWP’s can offer therapy to those in the company or provide wellbeing check-ins instead. We tailor each package to the needs of the production.

  • Each PWP abides by a strict code of conduct that they agree to both when working for AFT and when they register with the UKCP and BACP.

  • We will agree a certain number of hours per week/month (dependent on number in the company and context within the production) that the PWP will be available. We always aim to be as responsive as possible though outside of these hours. Please note we are not a crisis service.

Want to discuss a PWP for your production?

We invite you to get in touch to discuss your production needs in detail, as we are committed to crafting a bespoke package that aligns perfectly with your vision.