Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Porter.
Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to Nashville in 2011 after years building my professional career as a psychotherapist and exploring the music scene in Boston. Music was part of the fabric in my life, having spent my free time dabbling in sound engineering, music booking and performing. My passion was in understanding and helping individuals navigate life through therapy, but I was equally drawn to the world of music. I moved to Nashville and was manager for a mental health organization, while balancing continued involvement in music through booking and performing. Nashville was smaller back then and as I became familiar with the community, I began to see talented artists facing obstacles related to stressors and mental health. I continued to observe, listen and learn about the music business side of the industry as well as the artists journey. In 2015, my life presented with some exciting personal changing tides (I am an avid sailor, so always plenty of nautical references). As often happens in these transitions, I began to reflect on the direction of my career. In reflecting on my two passions, I began to conceptualize what would become Entertainment Health Services. As I saw it, the world is often influenced, comforted and sometimes moved to change by the music we consume, yet, those involved in creating and sharing it, were all too often struggling with mental wellness. Whether it was due to the stress of the pressures on the business side, the temptations under the bright lights, loneliness of the road or a dozen other possible life curveballs. The artist who created the song that helped pull you through that season of your life or provided that perfect Friday night dance song, was possibly crumbling in the bathroom of cheap hotel room. I thought, imagine all the lives they can touch if they had the support go forward shining their brightest. Imagine the impact any of us can have if we are shining our brightest. It just all clicked. I gave my notice at work and remember asking my boss if she would hire me back if this failed. She agreed, but would later tell me she knew I wasn’t coming back.
Not long after starting EHS, I saw the potential benefits of coaching and went back to school to become certified in executive coaching. As the coaching realm became a heavy focal point in my work, my curiosity in the organizational psychology grew. In 2024, I returned to school to obtain my masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology through Harvard Extension program, which I aim to complete within the next year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! Based on Roosevelt’s quote, nothing worth building is an easy road. I am grateful for the mentors and supporters along this journey, for those who have believed in the mission of EHS. In the beginning there were many still resistant to discussing or acknowledging mental health in the industry. When you are starting a new venture like EHS, you have to believe in your mission more than anyone else. Otherwise, it would have been easy to return to the comfort of a corporate job. I didn’t want to approach EHS with a sales pitch, I believed if there was a true need and I was the right one to fill the role, then it would build naturally. I simply began conversations. It didn’t take long for those conversations to grow and despite my regular “therapy homework assignments”, EHS grew.
There have been many obstacles since then, including navigating a global pandemic, which brought significant challenges to the music industry. Despite immense difficulties during Covid times, bearing witness to the resiliency, resourcefulness and frequent camaraderie, was a testament to some of the amazing individuals in this industry. The support offered through organizations like MusiCares, Music Health Alliance, EcchoLive, Onsite and Porter’s Call; is equally impressive during trying times. I believe it is through these difficult times that we grow and strengthen muscles we might not have known we had. One of my favorite equations is Suffering = Pain x Resistance. Sometimes the best way to avoid suffering, is to not resist the pains in life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Entertainment Health Services?
EHS offers a comprehensive list of counseling and executive coaching services that assists our clients with managing the day-to-day stress in entertainment, balancing personal life struggles, mental wellness and navigating career goals. We have the experience to understand the pressures that often come with working in the entertainment industry and treat individuals struggling with various conditions. EHS also provides professional coaching and a variety of beneficial group workshops for industry businesses and organizations.
Personal Bio:
Elizabeth Porter, LPC-MHSP is the Founder and President of Entertainment Health Services, a practice dedicated to mental health and professional coaching for individuals working in the entertainment industry. A Licensed Mental Health Therapist and Certified Entertainment Industry Life Coach with more than a decade of leadership and management experience, Elizabeth combines her background in the music industry with her clinical expertise to offer uniquely tailored support to artists, executives, and other entertainment professionals.
She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University and began her career in Boston before relocating to Nashville to pursue her vision of improving mental health within the entertainment community. In founding Entertainment Health Services, Elizabeth has created a space where evidence-based counseling and industry-specific coaching intersect; helping clients navigate the pressures of high-profile, high-demand careers while fostering resilience, well-being, and sustainable success.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
EHS is always evolving to meet the needs within the music industry, whether that is through individual services, workshops/seminar or collaborating on the road. Personally, I enjoy working with music industry organizations to bridge employee/talent wellness with company strategic goals. It is rewarding to see the impact of helping company culture thrive and the effects on individuals and organizations as a whole.
Surprising facts… I enjoy competitive sailing, woodworking and am a southpaw (lefty) guitar player.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ehsnashville.com
- Instagram: @ehsnashville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entertainmenthealthservices/
