Terry Hyde

After training at the Royal Ballet School and working professionally in ballet, musical theatre, film and television, I eventually realised something important: performers are often trained brilliantly physically, but emotionally they’re expected to just “cope somehow”.

That experience shaped the work I do today.

See my main profile here.

I founded Counselling for Dancers to create specialist mental-health support designed specifically for dancers and performing artists. My work combines psychotherapy, coaching, performance psychology and lived experience in the arts industry. I support people through performance anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, injury recovery, identity shifts and the pressure of constantly trying to perform at a high level while still functioning as an actual human being.

I’m also CEO of STEPPS CIO, where I lead projects focused on improving mental-health awareness, safeguarding and wellbeing support within dance training and professional environments.

A large part of my work focuses on neurodiversity within the arts. I’m passionate about helping performers and organisations better understand how differently wired brains experience training, creativity, pressure and communication.

Alongside therapy and education work, I create wellbeing resources through Help4Dancers® and speak internationally on resilience, mindset and performer mental health. I’ve appeared on BBC Radio 4, This Morning, TalkTV and numerous podcasts discussing mental health in the arts.

My approach is practical, compassionate and direct. No corporate jargon. No pretending performers should meditate their way out of structural problems. Just honest conversations, useful tools and support that actually understands the realities of the industry.