27 Effective Side Hustles for Therapists That Actually Work 👨‍⚕️📈

There are many side hustles therapists can try to earn more money and reach more people. They can do things like online counseling, create courses, blog, or speak publicly. These side jobs bring in extra cash and let therapists grow in their work.

Around 17% of therapists with a Ph.D. in psychology in the U.S. work part-time, and 26% have extra jobs.

Licensed therapist Kati Morton, with over 1.32 million YouTube subscribers. She made a Patreon page, which lets her followers to pay a monthly rate through a tiered system for exclusive content like videos, chats, & live streams.

In 2024, about 57.8 million adults—19% of the population—experienced a mental illness, yet only 43% received any form of mental health care.

Therapists can do side jobs like teletherapy, online courses, and webinars. Some make $500 to $3,000+ per webinar, which could be a good extra income.

No matter if you’re a social worker, physical therapist, or counselor, there are lots of chances to make money on the side. Let’s look at some of the best side jobs for those working in mental health. These can help you meet your money goals while doing good for others.

For a detailed look at your options, check out our guide below on side hustles for therapists.

Key Takeaways

• Therapists have many side hustle options to increase income and expand their reach
• 17% of psychology Ph.D. holders in the U.S. work part-time, and many take on extra jobs
• Online platforms are great for teletherapy, course creation, and content production
• Webinars and public speaking can significantly boost a therapist’s income
• Side hustles help therapists learn new things and venture into different interests

Top 27 Side Hustles for Therapists

Many therapists are now looking into side hustles. They want to grow professionally and increase their income. This list will show you new ways to use your skills for extra money.

Immigration Evaluations

• These are one-time assessments that can take several hours to complete.
• Requires writing a lengthy report similar to an intake assessment.
• Offers cash pay and diversifies practice.
• Relationships with attorneys are crucial for obtaining clients for these evaluations.

Expert Witness Services

• Licensed mental health professionals can serve as expert witnesses in legal cases.
• Platforms like Expert Institute connect professionals with attorneys needing expert testimony.
• Therapists can set their fees and have minimal work to get connected with potential clients.

Writing Amazon eBooks

• Many therapists get success with writing eBooks and selling them on Amazon, earning them over $1,000 per month.
• Market Research Importance: Understanding market demand is crucial before writing.

Hosting Retreats

• Concept: Organizing mental health retreats can cater to groups seeking self-care and therapy in a relaxing environment.
• Target Audience: Young mothers or individuals interested in mental health care could be potential participants.

Etsy Store

• Therapists can sell creative products related to therapy, such as merchandise featuring quotes or planners.
• It allows therapists to monetize their creativity while also engaging with clients in a different way.
• Although starting an Etsy store requires effort, it can be a fulfilling side hustle.

Coaching

• There is a distinction between therapy and coaching; coaching is not regulated and offers more freedom.
• Therapists can create coaching programs for various audiences, such as business professionals.
• This side hustle allows for creativity in developing services that can span geographical boundaries.

Creating Digital Products

• Therapists can develop digital resources, such as coping skills cheat sheets or instructional videos, providing value to potential clients.
• Digital products should address specific needs and offer helpful information without requiring face-to-face interaction.

Running Therapy Groups

• Group Therapy Benefits: Facilitating group therapy sessions can be an efficient way to generate income and foster healing.
• Considerations: It may require extra effort but can serve as a valuable service.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

• Teaching Opportunities: Therapists could offer CEU courses in specialized areas, such as EMDR supervision, which are in high demand.
• Profitability: Successful CEU programs can be more lucrative than traditional therapy practices.

Flipping Items

• Buying and selling items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be lucrative.
• Items can include musical instruments, furniture, and lawn equipment.
• With some minor repairs, one can resell items for profit.

Renting Rooms on Airbnb

• If you have extra space, renting it out can provide substantial income.
• Many therapists earn about $500+ a month by renting a room to medical students or residents.

Blogging

• Starting a blog focused on personal finance, health topics, or product reviews can generate income through advertising and affiliate marketing.
• While it takes time to build up traffic and revenue, it can become a significant source of income.

Creating a YouTube Channel

• Sharing insights and experiences on YouTube can be a rewarding side hustle.
• It requires minimal investment (like using a smartphone) and can lead to earnings through affiliate marketing with Amazon Associates.

Medical Billing and Coding

• Role: Involves coding medical records and billing for services.
• Education: Often requires a certificate program, which can take about six months and cost several hundred to thousands of dollars.

Healthcare Recruiter

• Role: Helps find employment for therapists, often working with travel companies.
• Salary Potential: Commission-based with the possibility of earning six figures.
• Pros: High earning potential but can be stressful due to the nature of the work.

Consulting Work

• Examples: Therapists can provide consulting services, such as SEO assistance for other therapists’ websites.
• Unique Skill Utilization: This allows therapists to leverage their skills outside of direct therapy.

Teaching at Colleges

• Adjunct Positions: Opportunities exist for therapists to teach courses at local colleges, even without a PhD.
• Many therapists express interest in potentially pursuing teaching in the future.

Engaging on Social Media

• Content Creation: Therapists can build a following on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok by sharing valuable content related to therapy & mental health.
• Long-form Content Relevance: There’s an opportunity to create long-form content for deeper engagement.

Telehealth Services

• Role: Providing healthcare through telecommunication technologies.
• Growth Area: Many small and large organizations are expanding telehealth services.

Management in Community Agencies or Hospitals

• Oversee personnel who provide direct mental health services without being involved in client care.

Serve Therapists with Unique Skill Sets

• Use specialized skills to help other therapists (e.g., marketing consulting, web design).
• Create and sell therapeutic materials like art therapy tools.

Mental Health Advocacy and Training

• Offer training for large organizations to promote self-care and productivity among employees.

Work for Companies Serving Therapists

• Join companies that create products or services designed specifically for therapists (e.g., EHR platforms).

Academic Career Advising

• Work in academic settings advising students on career options, which involves different types of counseling.

Human Resources

• Utilize therapeutic skills in HR to advocate for employee needs and improve workplace environments.

Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM)

• Concept: PTs can monitor patients remotely and bill for these services under specific codes.
• Income Potential: To reach $10,000 a month, one would need around 100 – 110 patients billed for RTM at $97 per month.
• Scalability: The process can scale as PTs delegate tasks to contracted therapists or use technology to manage multiple practices.

Amazon Influencer Program

• Overview: Participants can earn commissions by creating shoppable videos for products on Amazon.
• Personal Experience: Therapists earn thousands of dollars monthly after uploading around 100-150 simple videos in the first two months.
• Ease of Use: Videos can be recorded quickly using a smartphone with minimal editing.

Important Things to Remember

Unethical Practices: We strongly advise against engaging in unethical activities, such as promoting services that underpay therapists.

Maintaining Client Confidentiality:

– Therapists must be extremely careful not to disclose any confidential client information in the course of their side hustle activities. This applies even if the side hustle is not directly related to therapy.

– Accidentally revealing private details about clients, even without naming them, would be a serious ethical breach.

Avoiding Risky Ventures: Therapists should refrain from any side hustle that could jeopardize their license or ethical standing.

Employee vs. Entrepreneur: The first step is determining whether you want to work as an employee or start your own business. This choice significantly influences the types of remote opportunities available.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest:

– Side hustles should not create any real or perceived conflicts of interest with a therapist’s primary practice. 

– For example, referring therapy clients to a separate business the therapist owns for additional paid services would be highly unethical.

– Therapists need to keep clear boundaries between their clinical work and any other business pursuits.

Upholding Professional Standards:

– Any side hustle a therapist engages in should uphold the dignity and reputation of the mental health profession.

– Questionable ventures like promoting get-rich-quick schemes or peddling unproven “miracle cures” would reflect very poorly on a therapist’s judgment and integrity.

– Therapists are held to a higher ethical standard and need to carefully vet the professional appropriateness of any side gigs.

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 seen as a violation of employee agreements.

– Therapists should review their employment contracts regarding policies on outside work to avoid surprises.

Separating Therapy from Business:

– When engaged in side hustles, therapists must clearly distinguish between their role as a mental health professional providing clinical services versus operating a separate business.

– Blurring the lines by aggressively pitching business products or services to therapy clients would be seen as exploitative and unethical.

– Maintaining strict separation between therapy practice and business pursuits is critical to avoid taking advantage of clients.

Understanding the Need for Side Hustles in Therapy

The therapy world is changing fast. In the US alone, there are over 192,000 therapists. Many of them are seeking ways to increase their income. Side hustles provide an avenue for therapists to boost their earnings and try out different opportunities.

The current landscape of the therapy profession

Today, therapists are facing special dilemmas in their careers. To gain more power over their work, many are starting private practices on the side. This shift is uplifted by the desire for freedom, flexibility, and the chance to earn more.

Financial motivations for therapists to pursue side hustles

Many Instructor Therapists earn around $26 per hour. This shows the need for more income sources. Freelance writing is becoming a go-to side hustle for therapists. It lets them use their skills and make extra money.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Side Hustle for You

Being a private practice therapist makes exploring side hustles exciting. They are a great way to increase income and grow professionally. There are 27 different options to choose from, including lucrative side hustles. You can find one that matches your skills & interests. This might be teletherapy or creating content on social media.

Think about how your side hustle can help your therapy practice. For example, doing speaking events or coaching can boost your reputation. It might also bring in new clients.

Creating online courses or products is another idea. They could help you earn some money without taking away too much time from your practice. It’s important to strike a good balance that keeps your main work and ethics in check.

Setting boundaries and being organized is key to success with a side hustle. This prevents you from getting too tired and keeps the quality of your therapy high.

Use your skills and professional connections to move forward. And the internet can be a great way to reach more people. With hard work and smart choices, your side hustle can become something you love. Plus, it can bring in extra money as part of your therapy career.