Therapy for Actors: When Self-Doubt Hits Between Jobs
Addressing self-worth, the “gap” between gigs, and staying connected to purpose.
This article is part of my Therapy for Actors Series. Explore more topics, including Managing Performance Anxiety On and Off Stage, Coping with Rejection and Building Resilience, Finding your Identity Beyond the Role, The Silent Grief of Losing a Dream Role and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome.
There’s a particular kind of silence that settles in once a project wraps. One day you’re on set or in rehearsal, long hours, surrounded by people, living inside a story… and then it’s over. No script to learn, no call sheet, no opening night. Just space.
For many actors, that space is part of the job. But that doesn’t make it easy.
The “gap” can stir up more than boredom
People sometimes joke about “funemployment,” but beneath the humour, the quiet can be uncomfortable.
You might notice thoughts creeping in:
“Was I actually any good?”
“What if that was the last job?”
“Maybe I just got lucky.”
When the structure of work disappears, it can feel like confidence vanishes with it.
When self-worth feels tied to bookings
In therapy, I often hear actors say, “When I’m working, I feel alive, but when I’m not, I feel like I disappear.”
It’s tough when your sense of self is so closely tied to whether or not you’re cast. And social media doesn’t help, scrolling past endless posts about other people’s “next big project” can make the silence in your own life feel even louder.
How therapy can help you stay anchored
Feeling unsettled between jobs doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, it’s part of the emotional reality of a career that asks you to be open, vulnerable and, at the same time, resilient.
In therapy, we can explore these patterns together. We might look at where your inner critic comes from, or why stillness might feel so uncomfortable. We can use CBT tools to challenge harsh thoughts, or Transactional Analysis to explore the roles you slip into (like the hustler, the perfectionist, or the invisible one).
Most of all, therapy gives you space to reconnect with your purpose: the part of you that acts not just for the applause or the next credit, but because it matters to you.
You’re more than your last job
One of the most powerful shifts therapy can bring is remembering that your value isn’t conditional. You’re allowed to rest, you’re allowed to be “between.”
Not working doesn’t mean you stop being an actor. Your training, your instincts, your creativity, they don’t vanish in the quiet. Sometimes that in-between space becomes a chance to reset, reflect, and grow, especially with support.
Finding support in the in-between
If you’re struggling with self-doubt between jobs, you’re not alone. At Roles We Play Counselling, I offer therapy for actors that’s grounded in real understanding of the industry.
You can read more about how therapy supports actors or get in touch for a free first session. It’s simply a chance to say hello, share what’s on your mind, and see if therapy feels like the right fit.
It’s okay to need space to figure things out. Let’s work through it, together.
