About this Event
Creative work is meaningful, demanding, and deeply personal. But in an industry built on tight deadlines, constant feedback, and high expectations, many designers and creative professionals find themselves burned out, anxious, or disconnected from the work they once loved.
Thriving Creatively: Designing a Sustainable Creative Life is an in-person workshop and talk led by Barney and Alisha Abramson, co-founders of Thriving Creatively. Together, they bring a rare blend of lived creative experience and therapeutic insight to explore what it actually takes to sustain a creative career over time.
Barney, a Creative Director with over 20 years in the industry, shares his personal journey through burnout and recovery, including the pressure to perform, imposter syndrome, and the toll creative work can take on mental and physical health. Alisha, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, offers accessible, research-backed tools creatives can use to better manage stress, protect their energy, and build healthier relationships with work.
This session combines storytelling, practical frameworks, and guided reflection. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how burnout shows up in creative careers, simple strategies for managing stress and mental load, and a renewed sense of agency over how they show up at work.
 Designed for designers, creatives, and creative leaders at any stage, this workshop creates space for honest conversation, learning, and connection. Because thriving creatively shouldn’t come at the expense of your well-being.
Facilitators
Barney Abramson is an award-winning creative director with over 20 years of experience leading in-house teams and mentoring designers. As co-founder of Thriving Creatively, he blends his design leadership expertise with a passion for creative wellness, helping teams prevent burnout and build sustainable careers. He speaks nationally on design leadership, team culture, and mental health in creative work.
Alisha Abramson is a licensed marriage and family therapist and co-founder of Thriving Creatively. Specializing in resilience and sustainable performance, she translates therapeutic insights into accessible tools for creative professionals. Her workshops and coaching bring clarity, balance, and actionable strategies to individuals and organizations navigating the pressures of the creative industry.
Work in Progress Series
These events are focused on the creative process, personal development and professional development. They aim to give a peek behind the curtain and expose failure as a valuable experience.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
300 Lafayette St 2 floor, 300 Lafayette Street, New York, United States
USD 88.72 to USD 98.97
