Many therapists look for side hustles to supplement income and reduce the risk of burnout. While starting a side job might seem intimidating, there are easy ways to earn passive income without overwhelming yourself. It’s important to know that no hustle is ever truly passive—every side job involves work in some shape or form.
This guide explores realistic ideas that therapists can try to diversify their day while making money and helping others. Whether it’s online counseling, creating courses, writing a blog, or speaking publicly, there are multiple options to earn money while reaching people in new ways.
Quick Overview
Therapists have many side hustle options to increase income and expand reach beyond traditional practice. With 17% of psychology Ph.D. holders in the U.S. taking on part-time or extra jobs, alternative income streams are becoming more common.
Online platforms like teletherapy, course creation, content production, and webinars allow therapists to boost income while learning new things. Public speaking can also be a great way to venture into different interests, helping professionals diversify their work while making a bigger impact.
Top 27 Side Hustles for Therapists
Immigration Evaluations
Immigration evaluations are a great way for mental health professionals to diversify their practice and earn cash pay. These one-time assessments take several hours to complete and involve an intake assessment, reading case details, and writing a lengthy report for individuals seeking status in the U.S..
Since attorneys are crucial for obtaining clients, establishing relationships with them is essential. With basic training, therapists can become qualified to conduct different types of evaluations. Though the work can be challenging, it provides an additional income stream while making a meaningful impact.
Expert Witness Services
Licensed mental health professionals can work as expert witnesses in legal cases, providing expert testimony to help attorneys. Platforms like the Expert Institute make it easy to connect with legal teams, allowing therapists to set fees for their time with minimal work required.
Unlike what’s seen in TV shows and movies, expert witnesses don’t always end up in a courtroom. Many simply offer opinions or evaluations on cases. By joining platforms like the Expert Institute, therapists can get connected to potential clients and take on this simple yet rewarding side job.
Writing Amazon eBooks
Therapists can find success by writing eBooks and selling them on Amazon, creating a passive income stream. Many authors earn $1,000 per month or more, making this a profitable side hustle for those who enjoy sharing knowledge.
However, market research importance cannot be overlooked. Understanding market demand is crucial before writing, as choosing the right topic increases the chances of success. Whether focusing on mental health, self-care, or therapy techniques, well-researched content can attract readers and generate steady income.
Hosting Retreats
Organizing mental health retreats is a great way for therapists to create a unique self-care experience while earning extra income. These retreats cater to groups seeking therapy in a relaxing environment, allowing participants to focus on well-being.
Choosing a target audience is key—whether it’s young mothers, professionals, or individuals interested in mental health care. With the right planning, retreats can attract potential participants looking for guided support in a peaceful setting.
Start an Etsy Store
Therapists can sell creative products related to therapy, such as merchandise featuring quotes, planners, and self-care tools. Starting an Etsy store allows professionals to monetize creativity while engaging clients in a different way.
Popular Etsy store ideas include mugs, planners, t-shirts, and stickers with funny quotes or inspiring sayings. Creating a course or workshop can also be a great way to offer valuable content. While starting requires some effort, it can become a fulfilling side hustle with endless possibilities for passive income.
Coaching
Unlike therapy, coaching is not regulated, giving therapists the freedom to develop unique coaching programs for various audiences. This side hustle allows professionals to use their expertise to help business professionals and individuals without the restrictions of licensing guidelines or insurance regulations.
Since coaching is NOT therapy, it comes with major differences, as learned through discussions with an attorney. It offers creative opportunities such as online coaching, group programs, and face-to-face interactions that span geographical boundaries, making it an ideal way to develop services beyond state restrictions.
Creating Digital Products
Therapists can develop digital resources like coping skills cheat sheets and instructional videos to provide value to potential clients. These digital products allow professionals to offer helpful information without requiring one-on-one sessions, making them a scalable income stream.
A well-crafted digital product, such as a resource directory or guide, can help diversify income while saving time. By creating materials that address specific needs, therapists can reach a wider audience and earn additional money with minimal ongoing effort.
Running Therapy Groups
Running therapy groups is a great way for therapists to generate income while providing a valuable service. Group therapy offers unique benefits, allowing participants to support one another while the therapist facilitates sessions efficiently.
Although it requires extra effort, group work can be both rewarding and financially sustainable. By fostering healing in a structured setting, therapists can expand their practice while making therapy more accessible to multiple clients at once.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) provide teaching opportunities for therapists to share their expertise while earning extra income. Professionals can offer CEU courses in specialized areas like EMDR supervision, which is in high demand and can be highly profitable.
Successful CEU programs are a lucrative side hustle that allows therapists to educate others while diversifying their income beyond traditional therapy practices. With the right approach, offering CEUs can be both financially and professionally rewarding.
Flipping Items
Flipping items can be a lucrative side hustle for therapists looking to earn extra income. By purchasing used furniture, musical instruments, or lawn equipment, making minor repairs, and reselling them, therapists can turn a profit with minimal effort.
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other selling platforms make it easy to find buyers. Whether it’s restoring an old desk or refurbishing a guitar, buying and reselling quality items can provide a steady income stream outside of traditional therapy work.
Renting Rooms on Airbnb
Therapists with an extra room or space can earn $500+ per month by renting it out on Airbnb. This side hustle is especially profitable in areas with medical students, residents, or traveling professionals looking for short-term stays.
By providing rooms through Airbnb or other platforms, therapists can generate a substantial income with minimal effort. This is a great way to earn extra money while utilizing available space efficiently.
Blogging
Blogging is a great way for therapists to share knowledge while generating income. Starting a blog focused on health topics, personal finance, or product reviews can attract readers and open opportunities for advertising and affiliate marketing.
While it takes time to build up traffic and revenue, a well-maintained blog can become a significant source of income. With consistency and valuable content, therapists can turn blogging into a profitable and rewarding side hustle.
Creating a YouTube Channel
Sharing insights and experiences on YouTube can be a rewarding side hustle for therapists. With minimal investment, using just a smartphone, professionals can create valuable content on mental health, self-care, or therapy-related topics.
Earnings come from affiliate marketing through programs like Amazon Associates, as well as ad revenue and sponsorships. By consistently posting engaging content, therapists can grow their audience and turn YouTube into a profitable income stream.
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical billing and coding is a side hustle that requires training but can be a profitable option for therapists. The work involves coding medical records and processing billing for healthcare services, making it a valuable skill in the industry.
A certificate program can take six months to complete, with costs ranging from several hundred to thousands of dollars. While the upfront investment may be high, it offers a steady income stream for those looking to expand their expertise.
Healthcare Recruiter
Becoming a healthcare recruiter is a high-earning side hustle that allows therapists to help companies find employment for medical professionals. This role is often commission-based, meaning earnings can reach six figures with the right placements.
While the job offers potential for growth, it can also be stressful due to the nature of recruitment. Some positions often require travel, but many recruiters can work remotely for staffing companies, making it a flexible and lucrative career option.
Consulting Work
Therapists can provide consulting services in various areas, including SEO assistance for other therapists’ websites. This unique skill utilization allows professionals to leverage their skills beyond direct therapy, creating new income opportunities.
By offering expertise in website optimization, mental health program development, or practice management, therapists can work outside traditional therapy while helping others grow their businesses. Consulting is a flexible way to expand career options and increase earnings.
Teaching at Colleges
Therapists can explore teaching opportunities by applying for adjunct positions at local colleges. Many schools offer courses in psychology, counseling, or mental health, allowing professionals to teach even without a Ph.D.
For those with an interest in education, this role can be a stepping stone to potentially pursuing a full-time teaching career in the future. Many express that teaching provides both professional fulfillment and an additional income stream.
Engaging on Social Media
Therapists can use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to build a following and share valuable mental health insights. By creating related content, professionals can connect with a wider audience and establish themselves as trusted voices in the field.
Long-form engagement on YouTube allows for in-depth discussions, while Instagram and TikTok offer quick, engaging posts to spark interest. This opportunity helps therapists reach more people, provide deeper therapy-related content, and even generate income through sponsorships and collaborations.
Telehealth Services
Telehealth services play a key role in providing healthcare through telecommunication technologies. With the increasing demand for virtual care, this is a growth area where many small and large organizations are expanding their services.
For therapists, telehealth offers flexibility and the ability to reach more clients while maintaining a remote practice. As more people seek online mental health support, this side hustle provides both financial and professional opportunities.
Management in Community Agencies or Hospitals
Management roles in community agencies or hospitals allow therapists to oversee personnel while ensuring quality client care. These positions often involve balancing administrative duties with direct mental health services, making them both impactful and rewarding.
For therapists looking to expand their careers beyond private practice, stepping into management provides opportunities to influence mental health programs, improve service delivery, and contribute to the well-being of larger communities.
Serve Therapists with Unique Skill Sets
Therapists with specialized skills can help other therapists by offering marketing consulting, web design, or even creating and selling therapeutic materials. These services allow professionals to support peers while generating extra income.
For those with expertise in art therapy tools or digital products, developing and selling resources can be a great way to reach a broader audience. This side hustle blends creativity with professional knowledge, making it both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
Mental Health Advocacy and Training
Therapists can offer training to large organizations to educate employees on mental health, promote self-care, and improve productivity in the workplace. Many businesses are investing in mental health programs, creating opportunities for professionals to lead workshops and awareness sessions.
By providing structured guidance, therapists can make a meaningful impact while generating additional income. This side hustle allows professionals to expand beyond one-on-one sessions and advocate for mental wellness on a larger scale.
Work for Companies Serving Therapists
Therapists can join companies that create products and services designed specifically for therapists, such as EHR platforms and mental health tools. These roles allow professionals to use their expertise to improve industry resources while working outside of direct client care.
Academic Career Advising
Therapists can work in academic settings, helping students explore career options and different paths in counseling. This role allows professionals to use their guidance skills in a structured environment while supporting future mental health professionals.
Human Resources
With a background in counseling, therapists can utilize therapeutic skills in HR to advocate for employee needs and improve workplace environments. This role is ideal for those looking to transition into organizational wellness while still making a meaningful impact on mental health in the workplace.
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) allows PTs and therapists to monitor patients remotely and bill for services using specific codes. With strong income potential, professionals can reach up to $10,000 per month by managing 100 to 110 billed sessions at $97 per session.
The scalability of RTM makes it an excellent side hustle, as therapists can scale the process by delegating tasks to contracted therapists. Using technology, professionals can manage multiple practices efficiently, making RTM a profitable and flexible option in digital healthcare.
Amazon Influencer Program
The Amazon Influencer Program allows participants to earn commissions by creating shoppable videos for products on Amazon. Therapists can leverage this opportunity to generate thousands of dollars monthly by uploading 100-150 simple videos within the first two months.
With its ease of use, videos can be recorded quickly using just a smartphone with minimal editing required. This makes it a flexible and scalable side hustle that fits into a therapist’s schedule while providing passive income potential.
Important Things to Remember
Unethical Practices
Therapists should strongly advise against engaging in unethical practices, such as promoting services dishonestly or working with companies that underpay therapists. Maintaining professional integrity is essential to building a reputable and sustainable side hustle.
Maintaining Client Confidentiality
Therapists must be extremely careful to not disclose confidential client information in their side hustle activities, especially when engaging in work not directly related to therapy. Even accidentally revealing private details—such as mentioning specific clients without naming them—can be a serious ethical breach. To protect their license and ethical standing, therapists should avoid risky ventures and refrain from any side hustle that could compromise professional confidentiality.
Employee vs. Entrepreneur
Choosing between being an employee or an entrepreneur is the first step in building a side hustle. This choice significantly influences the types of remote opportunities available, whether working for a company or starting an independent business. Understanding the differences helps therapists align their career goals with the right opportunities.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
When pursuing side hustles, therapists must avoid conflicts of interest that could interfere with their primary practice. For example, referring therapy clients to their separate business or offering additional paid services related to their clinical work is highly unethical.
It’s essential to set clear boundaries between clinical work and business pursuits to ensure both clients and professional integrity are protected. By maintaining a transparent approach, therapists can avoid potential conflicts while pursuing successful side ventures.
Upholding Professional Standards
No matter what side hustle a therapist engages in, it is crucial to uphold the dignity and reputation of the mental health profession. Engaging in questionable ventures, such as promoting get-rich-quick schemes or peddling unproven miracle cures, can reflect very poorly on the therapist’s judgment and integrity.
Therapists are expected to maintain a higher ethical standard in all professional activities. Therefore, they should carefully vet the professional appropriateness of any side gigs to ensure they align with the values of the mental health field and do not harm their career or clients.
Disclosing Outside Activities
Depending on their employment situation, therapists may need to disclose and get approval for outside business activities from their primary employer. Failing to notify an employer about side hustles could potentially lead to job termination if it is seen as a violation of employee agreements.
Therapists should review their employment contracts regarding policies on outside work to ensure they are in compliance and avoid any surprises. Clear communication with employers can help prevent conflicts and ensure that side ventures do not interfere with primary job responsibilities.
Separating Therapy from Business
When engaged in side hustles, therapists must clearly distinguish their role as a mental health professional providing clinical services from operating a separate business. Blurring the lines between therapy and business pursuits, such as aggressively pitching business products or services to therapy clients, can be exploitative and unethical.
Maintaining a strict separation between therapy practice and business ventures is critical to ensure therapists avoid taking advantage of clients. Keeping these areas distinct upholds professional integrity and ensures that clients are never exploited for business gain.
Understanding the Need for Side Hustles in Therapy
The therapy world is changing fast, with over 192,000 therapists in the U.S. actively seeking ways to increase income. Side hustles provide an avenue for therapists to boost earnings while pursuing their passion in therapy. With different opportunities available, therapists can diversify their income streams, expand their reach, and maintain financial stability in an evolving field.
The Current Landscape of the Therapy Profession
Therapists today are facing special dilemmas as they navigate their careers. Many in private practices are looking to earn more while enjoying the autonomy and flexibility of being their own boss. The desire for the freedom to create their own schedule and select a client niche has led to a shift towards higher earnings and more control over their work environment.
Factors influencing private practice include the ability to choose location, set rates, and establish their own business, which all contribute to an uplifted income potential compared to salaried positions. With the chance to gain power and shape their careers, therapists are increasingly drawn to private practice, where they can enjoy flexibility and greater income potential.
Financial Motivations for Therapists to Pursue Side Hustles
For therapists, pursuing side hustles can be a practical way to earn extra money and diversify income sources. For example, becoming an instructor therapist can bring in $26 per hour, providing a steady stream of income outside of traditional therapy sessions. Additionally, freelance writing has become a go-to side hustle for many therapists, leveraging their skills to generate extra money while helping others with content creation. These opportunities help therapists balance their financial needs and expand their professional reach.
Choosing the Right Side Hustle for You
As a therapist in private practice, exploring side hustles can be exciting and a great way to increase income and grow professionally. With 27 different options available, you can choose a lucrative side hustle that matches your skills and interests, whether it’s teletherapy, creating content for social media, speaking events, coaching, or offering online courses and products.
It’s important to maintain a good balance between your main work and side hustles, ensuring that your ethics and setting boundaries stay intact. Staying organized is key to success, as it prevents burnout and ensures the quality of your therapy remains high. With hard work and smart choices, you can earn extra money while enhancing your therapy career and reaching more people through the internet.
Next Steps
To take the next step in building your side hustle or growing your private practice, start by learning new topics and diving deeper into areas that interest you. Joining a consultation group can be a great way to expand your knowledge, with the first month free and no commitment required. This gives you the opportunity to get personalized insights without any upfront costs. Additionally, consider working with an individual consultant if you’re looking for more tailored advice, keeping in mind the cost of such services.