--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a real danger in writing or…" description: "\"There's a real danger in writing or acting as therapy because if you've ever been on-screen with someone or on stage or worked with a writer that is tr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/nicola-coughlan-6179_acting_there-s-a-real-danger-in-writing-or-acti_1354252.jpg" --- # There's a real danger in writing or acting as therapy… ![“There's a real danger in writing or acting as therapy because if you've ever been on-screen with someone or on stage or worked with a writer that is trying to work through issues, it's a mess. No matter what you're trying to deal with, I think you have to be removed enough from it to deal with it…” quote by Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/nicola-coughlan-6179_acting_there-s-a-real-danger-in-writing-or-acti_1354252.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/nicola-coughlan-6179_acting_there-s-a-real-danger-in-writing-or-acti_1354252.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/nicola-coughlan-6179_acting_there-s-a-real-danger-in-writing-or-acti_1354252.jpg) > “There's a real danger in writing or acting as therapy because if you've ever been on-screen with someone or on stage or worked with a writer that is trying to work through issues, it's a mess. No matter what you're trying to deal with, I think you have to be removed enough from it to deal with it because otherwise it can just be a disaster.” [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker warns that using acting or writing as therapy can be risky because personal involvement may cloud judgment and cause further distress. **In simple terms:** Therapeutic art can backfire if not emotionally detached. Key Takeaway Maintain healthy distance when processing personal issues through art. Themes mental health creativity boundaries Mood cautious analytical Type advice reflective When to use this quote - therapy sessions - rehearsals - writing workshops - personal journaling Key Concepts self‑reflection emotional safety artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to blend art with therapy? - How can creators protect themselves from emotional overload? A Different Perspective Complete detachment may hinder genuine healing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Therapy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-therapy-907780/) [Danger Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger-writing-1370331/) [Disaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disaster/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Therapy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/therapy/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-acting-284615/) ## Related quotes > [Acting is therapy. It keeps you in contact with your feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-luna/acting-is-therapy-it-keeps-you-in-contact-with-your-feelings/) [Diego Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-luna/) > [Acting's not therapy, but it can be therapeutic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-peck/acting-s-not-therapy-but-it-can-be-therapeutic/) [Josh Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-peck/) > [I still think you shouldn't use acting as therapy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/i-still-think-you-shouldn-t-use-acting-as-therapy/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [The danger in writing about a world you don't know very well is that you can get lost in it, and sometimes I'll end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/the-danger-in-writing-about-a-world-you-don-t-know-very-well-is-that/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [The danger of writing a so-called thriller is that in your last 100 pages, all of these really interesting characters you've created are just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-hawley/the-danger-of-writing-a-so-called-thriller-is-that-in-your-last-100/) [Noah Hawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-hawley/) > [The real danger of writing a great song when you're on something is that it might get you thinking that the only way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mann/the-real-danger-of-writing-a-great-song-when-you-re-on-something-is/) [Barry Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mann/) > [One danger, when you're writing lots of quick, opinionated blog items about the latest developments, is that you never get around to stating fully,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-kaus/one-danger-when-you-re-writing-lots-of-quick-opinionated-blog-items/) [Mickey Kaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-kaus/) > [You know, a lot of actors I think go into acting for therapy from whatever trauma has affected them as children. But for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ealy/you-know-a-lot-of-actors-i-think-go-into-acting-for-therapy-from/) [Michael Ealy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ealy/) > [I have been blessed with roles that allow me to express something very personal at a specific time in my life. I seek them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-clark/i-have-been-blessed-with-roles-that-allow-me-to-express-something/) [Victoria Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-clark/) > [I didn't always want to act. My passion was writing, and it still is one of my primary passions to this day, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-dallas-howard/i-didn-t-always-want-to-act-my-passion-was-writing-and-it-still-is/) [Bryce Dallas Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-dallas-howard/) > [I think there is a lot of overexplaining both in writing and acting. People don't need to be hit on the head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-owen/i-think-there-is-a-lot-of-overexplaining-both-in-writing-and-acting/) [Clive Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-owen/) > [After graduating from University, I began directing in theatre too, and I've been directing, writing and acting ever since, which has allowed me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pollyanna-mcintosh/after-graduating-from-university-i-began-directing-in-theatre-too-and/) [Pollyanna McIntosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pollyanna-mcintosh/) > [I take talking as seriously as I do writing, acting and stand-up. Not everybody is good at talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-hoffman/i-take-talking-as-seriously-as-i-do-writing-acting-and-stand-up-not/) [Robby Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robby-hoffman/) > [Actually, I was writing as I was acting - it was kind of simultaneous. I wrote on 'E20', which started this whole 'EastEnders' journey.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emer-kenny/actually-i-was-writing-as-i-was-acting-it-was-kind-of-simultaneous-i/) [Emer Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emer-kenny/) > [When you have somebody writing or acting for you, you have to be free to have them hate you so you can get your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-heckerling/when-you-have-somebody-writing-or-acting-for-you-you-have-to-be-free/) [Amy Heckerling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-heckerling/) ## More by Nicola Coughlan > [I always think as actors, we have the privilege of going to red carpet events and dressing up and having glam teams. I'm like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-always-think-as-actors-we-have-the-privilege-of-going-to-red-carpet/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [It took me until I was 30 to get a good job on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/it-took-me-until-i-was-30-to-get-a-good-job-on-television/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I always use the same comparison: Ian McKellen isn't a wizard. I'm not a 19-year-old aristocrat from the 19th century. It's all made up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-always-use-the-same-comparison-ian-mckellen-isn-t-a-wizard-i-m-not/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [Bodies change - if I lose weight or gain weight or I do anything, it's no one's business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/bodies-change-if-i-lose-weight-or-gain-weight-or-i-do-anything-it-s/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [Kate Spade bags are such It bags.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/kate-spade-bags-are-such-it-bags/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I worked a million different jobs, lived in different places, lived in terrible house shares with mould on the walls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-worked-a-million-different-jobs-lived-in-different-places-lived-in/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I think it's very easy to tell when the clothes are wearing the person, and not the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-think-it-s-very-easy-to-tell-when-the-clothes-are-wearing-the/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I've had the privilege of wearing so many incredible costumes on 'Bridgerton,' especially in season three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-ve-had-the-privilege-of-wearing-so-many-incredible-costumes-on/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I believe strongly that everyone needs to do a year in retail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-believe-strongly-that-everyone-needs-to-do-a-year-in-retail/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I love when you watch a piece of television, and it just blows your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-love-when-you-watch-a-piece-of-television-and-it-just-blows-your/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I thought, 'What if you get the job you think you've always wanted and it doesn't fulfill you?' But it really does. That will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-thought-what-if-you-get-the-job-you-think-you-ve-always-wanted-and/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [When something's good, there's a certain weird... not electricity, but something like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/when-something-s-good-there-s-a-certain-weird-not-electricity-but/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I know I'm not alone; women in my industry are put under constant scrutiny for their looks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-know-i-m-not-alone-women-in-my-industry-are-put-under-constant/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [I'm sort of pro celebrities for celebrities' sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/i-m-sort-of-pro-celebrities-for-celebrities-sake/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) > [Fame is a weird thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-coughlan/fame-is-a-weird-thing/) [Nicola Coughlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) [Explore all 99 Nicola Coughlan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-coughlan/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a real danger in writing or acting as therapy because if you've ever been on-screen with someone or on stage or worked with a writer that is trying to work through issues, it's a mess. 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