The Entertainment Community Fund understands that a life in the arts has its own unique set of challenges. Our free groups and workshops offer a safe and confidential setting where performing arts and entertainment professionals can share and learn, as well as provide and receive support. Our groups are facilitated by social workers and provide valuable assistance and resources. Please read the descriptions for further details, including how to register.
All of our groups and workshops meet online only. Please view these tips for preparing if you are unfamiliar with participating in online support groups.
Please note: Our support groups are not psychotherapy groups and do not provide mental health treatment. If you are seeking mental health services, please visit entertainmentcommunity.org/MentalHealth to learn more and be connected to a social worker.
At this time, our groups are offered only in English.
Please register or log in to our Entertainment Community Fund Portal to access our workshops, programs and services. Our portal is designed to cater to your individual needs and interests, offering access to a wide range of resources and support—all with the guidance and understanding of what it takes to build a life and career in the arts.
Support Groups
NATIONAL GROUPS
These support groups and workshops are available to anyone living in the United States, Puerto Rico and US territories.
To participate, please complete your profile on the Entertainment Community Fund Portal. To ensure a positive group experience, pre-group interviews are required to join our Support Groups.
- Are You on the Fence with Life in the Industry?
Do you find yourself asking any of the following questions?
- Can my current industry work continue to support and fulfill me?
- How do I navigate current changes in the industry that are forcing me to consider another career?
- Do I feel conflicted about whether to remain in the industry or pursue a new path?
This eight-week group is designed specifically for those navigating feelings of loss, industry ambivalence or feeling stuck in uncertainty.
Whether you are planning a strategic pivot or simply seeking clarity, this confidential space provides emotional grounding, practical guidance and a supportive community of peers who truly understand the unique pressures of the field.
- Gendertainers: From Safety to Celebration
This eight-week group aims to be a safe and affirming space for professionals whose gender identity exists outside of the male/female binary and/or are of the Trans experience, as well as those who are questioning their gender identity. Through dialog and inquiry, the group will address the impact of outdated gender roles and expectations placed on individuals and communities, as well as celebrate the contributions of the trans community in the performing arts and entertainment industry.
- Good Grief Support Group
An eight-week support group for performing arts and entertainment industry professionals age 50 and older who are grieving the recent death of a loved one. The group will provide a safe space to share feelings around loss and grief, as well as ideas for coping safely during challenging times.
- Guided Autobiography for Older Adults
Guided Autobiography for Older Adults, an eight-week program for entertainment and performing arts professionals ages 60 and up, supports members through the process of writing their autobiographies via weekly writing assignments on major life themes, and sharing of members’ work within the safety of the group. Writing your life story, you will have the chance to recall choices, joys and sorrows, and discover lessons and truths learned. No writing experience is necessary.
- Is It Just Me, Or Is This Set Hot?
This is an eight-week group for women who are experiencing menopause or perimenopause. The intention of this group is to provide a safe place for women to give and receive support, feel empowered and gain knowledge about health topics related to this time of life and career. We also look forward to exploring themes such as self-image, societal attitudes and working in an industry that places such a high value on youth. Come join the conversation!
- Just Tough It Out: Silent Expectations
This is a support group for men in the entertainment industry who are living with a chronic illness, injury or disabling condition. The goal of this group is to provide a safe and confidential setting to explore themes such as the impact of illness and career disruption on identity, traditional roles and expectations around masculinity, and defining self-worth beyond physical capacity and/or professional achievement.
- Mind Body Spirit—A Group for Black Women in Entertainment
Being a professional in the entertainment business comes with unique challenges. For Black women, these challenges are often compounded by racism and sexism. Join us for a six-week group that aims to provide a supportive and uplifting space centering on the experiences of Black women working in entertainment. The intention of this group is to create a safe space solely and deliberately for those who identify as Black women to gather, uplift their collective spirit and share art, wisdom, pain and joy.
- Mindfulness Meditation with the Entertainment Community Fund
Come together with others in the performing arts and entertainment community to experience and learn Mindfulness practices utilizing breath and meditation.
This 30-minute meditation practice is grounded in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Bring a sense of balance to your day and give yourself a little rest from the unrest.
- Mirror Image: Reflecting and Redefining Body Image
In this eight-week support group, we will explore how industry culture, societal expectations and personal experiences can negatively impact our relationships with our bodies and how we view ourselves. Through a mix of exercises, participants will develop ways to shift from negative self-image towards healing and grace.
- Psychology of Money
Psychology of Money explores how familial; cultural and industry attitudes contribute to how we think and feel about money. This seven-week group helps members become aware of their behavior and thought patterns around money, both positive and negative. Members will be guided toward formulating a plan of action to integrate a sense of money mastery into their lives.
- Psychology of Money for Older Adults
Psychology of Money for Older Adults explores how familial, cultural and industry attitudes contribute to how we think and feel about money. This seven-week group helps members become aware of their behavior and thought patterns around money, both positive and negative. Members will be guided toward formulating a plan of action to integrate a sense of money mastery into their lives. Participants must be 62 years old or older.
- Self-Care for Women in Entertainment
An eight-week group for participants who identify as women who are dealing with ongoing health issues or injury. Self-Care for Women in Entertainment offers a safe place for support, empowerment and community.
- Self-Care to Give Care: Caregiver Support Group
This one-hour group is intended for those who do the challenging work of caring for a loved one who is an older adult (whether a partner, spouse, parent, friend or other family member). This initiative gives a voice to the caregiver in a supportive, confidential and safe space, and takes a look at the importance of self-care, including mind-body exercises, community, discussion and expression for replenishment and empowerment.
- Senior Soloists
Senior Soloists is an online support group for those 65 and older who would like to connect with other “Soloists”—individuals who, by choice or circumstance, are without the support of children or a spouse/partner in their lives.
The group is an opportunity to build community, navigate challenges, foster self-empowerment and share resources with others who are also making life decisions independently.
- Sober Curious
What would your life look like without alcohol? This 10-week group is for those interested in exploring the benefits of taking a break from drinking.
Whether you are looking at your drinking for health and wellness reasons or looking to prevent it from becoming problematic, this will be a chance to engage in a reevaluation of your relationship with alcohol.
We will explore questions about how, when and why you drink, and ultimately bring more intention to your experience with stress management and drinking in particular.
- Support Group for Dancers
An eight-week virtual support group for professional dancers and choreographers who are currently experiencing personal or professional hardship. Through open discussion and the sharing of resources, this group will provide a safe space for dancers to support one another through current challenges. As a program of The Dancers Resource, this group aims to create community to help dancers navigate the relationships with their bodies and the changing world of dance.
- The Long Creative Life
The Long Creative Life is an eight-week artist support group inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This 60+ group is designed for entertainment industry professionals, artists and creative individuals exploring creativity, burnout, identity, reinvention and sustaining a creative life over time. Through guided discussion, reflection, creative practices and community support, participants will have the opportunity to reconnect with their creative process in a supportive and nonjudgmental space.
- Thriving with the Entertainment Community Fund for Black Identified Professionals
This six-week support group for Black-identified performing arts and entertainment industry professionals fosters restorative dialogue and peer support while centering experiences of racial injustice, discrimination and bias within the industry and community as a whole. Participants will discuss how they’re evolving and moving forward as creatives with a better understanding of themselves and their purpose.
- Who Am I If I’m Not Working
For many performing arts and entertainment industry professionals, work is a source of identity, purpose, connection and creative expression. However, when opportunities slow down or disappear, it can feel like being cut off from a vital part of who you are. Through guided conversation, reflection and practical exercises, this six-week interactive group provides a confidential, supportive space to explore and share your experience with others who have also been impacted by reduction in work.
NEW YORK GROUPS
Due to state professional licensing regulations for social workers, these groups are available only to residents of New York State.
To participate, please complete your profile on the Entertainment Community Fund Portal. To ensure a positive group experience, pre-group interviews are required to join our Support Groups.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
An eight-week course for those who live in New York to develop skills for reducing stress and anxiety, and to meet the challenges of these times with greater calm and well-being. Participants will learn mindful meditation techniques as well as insights from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Participants will develop skills in mindful awareness—calming the body, quieting the mind and bringing balance to emotions.
Attending an orientation session and a brief one-on-one online conversation is a prerequisite for taking this course.
CALIFORNIA GROUPS
Due to state professional licensing regulations for social workers, these groups are available only to residents of California.
To participate, please complete your profile on the Entertainment Community Fund Portal. To ensure a positive group experience, pre-group interviews are required to join our Support Groups.
- Encore—Support Group for Older Adults
For performing arts and entertainment industry professionals 65 and older, Encore is a once-a month support group via Zoom that offers a safe place to explore the challenges of growing older in “the business.” Our members form friendships, offer support and together are building a community of vibrant and creative older adults.
Due to state professional licensing regulations for social workers, this group is available only to residents of California.
Workshops
To register for our free online workshops, please complete your profile on the Entertainment Community Fund Portal.
- Advance Care Planning for Professionals in Entertainment
Learn how advance directives can protect your healthcare wishes and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. This free quarterly presentation explains the purpose of a Healthcare Proxy, Living Will and Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order, along with guidance on completing these important documents. Start the conversation, create a plan and document your choices before a crisis occurs. Due to state professional licensing regulations, this workshop is available only to New York State residents.
- Anxiety Toolbox
Anxiety Toolbox is an hour-long, three-session workshop designed for those in the performing arts and entertainment community experiencing stress and anxiety. This workshop aims to help you understand anxiety symptoms and learn tools to cope with everyday stress and anxiety.
Workshop attendance for all three sessions within this series is required. A laptop or desktop computer is highly recommended due to shared screen and use of PDFs during sessions.
- Beginner’s Guide to Therapy
Beginner’s Guide to Therapy is a one-hour workshop designed to give you an understanding of what types of mental health resources are out there, how to determine which ones might be a good fit and how to access services. Information covered in this workshop includes the different types of mental health providers, the cost of counseling, how insurance can work to ease such costs and what mental health options there are for those who might not be insured.
- Getting Unstuck: How to Navigate Career Change
Performing arts and entertainment professionals often experience a myriad of transitions in their careers. This can lead to stress, burnout and/or feelings of being stuck. This career support group is specifically designed to help performing arts and entertainment professionals identify thoughts that can help you move forward, develop actional steps to get unstuck and process feelings related to career change.
- Guide to Personal Wellness
Gain tools to help you incorporate personal care into your daily life, especially in times of hardship. In this workshop, we will discuss how stress manifests in the body, how we can work to slow the body down and how we can create wellness goals that feel manageable and achievable.
- Lights, Camera, Cognition: Keeping Your Mind Sharp
Offered periodically throughout the year, this series of educational workshops explores simple, daily habits such as staying mentally and physically active, eating and sleeping well, that support brain health.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
This eight-week educational course uses meditation, gentle yoga and inquiry as a way of training people to relate differently to stresses in their lives. The course was originally developed for patients in chronic pain and has since been shown to be beneficial for dealing with stress and anxiety while improving overall well-being.
- Understanding Social Security: An Overview of Benefits and Eligibility
This workshop is for anyone considering applying for Social Security. It is designed to take the confusion out of the many different options available to begin receiving Social Security income and help you determine which option is best for you.
Topics that will be reviewed:
- When you are eligible to receive retirement benefits
- How early retirement affects your benefits
- The requirements for spousal benefits and survivors’ benefits
- When you should file for Medicare