The Supported Stage
Who Are We?
The Supported Stage is a unique and dedicated team of mental health professionals; we also have decades of experience
working in the creative arts and entertainment industries.
We understand better than anyone the highs, the lows and the ongoing challenges of a career in show business. Leveraging our mental health expertise, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind service for people working in the live performance industry.
What Do We Do?
We provide highly specialised Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), mental health treatment and support, counselling, coaching, and psychology services to the live performance industries, serving people working across all disciplines and departments.
If you are a company or organisation lead looking for an industry-specific service, we would love to chat with you about how we could support your people.
Why The Supported Stage?
Most Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are built for the general corporate workplace. While these services are staffed by qualified and well-meaning clinicians, few have specialised knowledge of the Australian performing arts and entertainment industries.
The Supported Stage (TSS) is different.
We provide tailored psychology, counselling, coaching and workplace wellbeing services delivered by mental health professionals who are also experienced arts practitioners, bringing nearly 60 years of combined industry experience. We remain actively engaged in the sector as researchers, educators, coaches, performers, choreographers and directors.
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When support is provided without a genuine understanding of the industry's unique pressures, culture and working conditions, employees often spend valuable time explaining their world before meaningful help can begin. Generic approaches can miss critical context, reducing engagement, delaying effective support and ultimately delivering poorer outcomes for both individuals and organisations.
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At TSS, there are only three of us, and every client is matched with the practitioner best suited to their needs. Our clients aren't assigned to a generalist counsellor; they're supported by someone who understands the realities of their work, speaks their language, and has often lived those experiences themselves.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the tradition of custodianship and law of the Country on which we work and live. We pay our respects to those who have cared and continue to care for Country, and pay respects to elders past, present, and emerging. We are committed to diversifying research and eliminating inequities and discrimination in healthcare. Our work culture is one of openness, inclusivity, and respect for all people regardless of age, gender, race, size, sexuality, language, socioeconomic status, location or ability.
Acknowledgement of Lived Experience
We acknowledge the individual and collective expertise of those with a living or lived experience of mental health challenges. We recognise their vital contribution at all levels and value the courage of those who share their unique perspective for the purpose of research, learning and growing together to achieve better outcomes for all.