Therapy Side Hustles That Actually Make Sense in 2025 and Beyond
Many therapists are exploring additional income streams right now.
For some, there’s a desire to have an escape from the world of therapy, or to explore creative endeavors. For others it’s all about generating some additional revenue to cover expenses or add profit to the bottom line.
Either way, if you’re considering diversifying your income, you’re doing exactly what I teach my clients to do. Insurance payouts are unpredictable, and the cost of living has absolutely no intention of slowing down, so it makes perfect sense to have a plan that keeps you secure.
The good news? You have clinical skills, communication skills, organizational skills, and lived wisdom that translate beautifully outside the therapy room. You’re not limited to 50-minute sessions, and you certainly aren’t limited to a caseload that leaves you exhausted by Thursday.
Below is a guide to side hustles therapists are using in real life, not fantasies, not internet hype. These are viable, real-world, therapist-tested options.
Clinical Side Hustles That Stay in Your Lane
If you want additional income without straying too far from your expertise, these options keep you in familiar territory:
Clinical Supervision.
A classic win-win. If you’re licensed and qualified, this can become a steady income stream. Some therapists earn the equivalent of a small caseload simply by supervising a few clinicians.
Immigration Evaluations.
Demand continues to grow. The work is structured, well-paid, and often easier to schedule around your primary practice.
Contracting With Agencies.
Some agencies pay well for intakes, treatment plans, group supervision, or even clinical manager tasks like approving notes. This lets you use your clinical mind without taking on ongoing therapy clients.
Onsite Therapist Contracts.
Many workplaces bring in a therapist twice a month for employee support. Rates typically fall between $700–$1,000 per month, and the time commitment is minimal.
Assessments for the State.
Depending on your license, these can be straightforward, high-paying opportunities.
Hospital PRN Intakes.
Overnight or part-time hospital intake shifts offer steady “extra” money without a marketing lift.
R3 Continuum Crisis Response.
If you’re in a larger city, you may get regular PRN requests to support businesses after critical incidents.
DUI School Instructor.
With a Prime for Life certification, you can teach DUI courses twice a month and bring in consistent income.
Academic & Professional Development Opportunities
If you enjoy teaching or mentoring:
Adjunct Teaching.
The work varies by school, but some therapists appreciate the predictable paychecks and structured schedule. This may require a terminal degree and pay will vary.
CE Trainings.
Independent CE workshops can pay $1,000–$5,000 for a single Saturday on Zoom. If you enjoy teaching, this is a strong contender.
Dissertation Editing.
Your clinical writing skills transfer well here. Grad students are always looking for support.
Public Presentations for Schools & Districts.
Schools pay for social-emotional learning workshops, trauma training, and staff development. This will require some marketing and preparation, but this an easily net $5-25,000 for each engagement.
Creative + Scalable Income Streams
Scaling your expertise without trading more hours for dollars:
Coaching & Consulting.
These are natural extensions of your clinical strengths, especially if you’re targeting high-functioning adults or professionals.
Digital Products.
Worksheets, courses, scripts, templates, and even podcast-style audio series can become “always-working” assets. Check out my templates to get a jump start.
Self-Publishing.
Journals, planners, books, and workbooks are easier to create than ever. Print on Demand options can decrease your out of pocket and up front costs.
Groups, Intensives and Retreats.
These offer powerful transformation in a shorter time frame and often outperform individual session revenue. This can be done privately for organizations or with individual participants paying for their entry.
Monthly Workshops.
One workshop a month can replace a handful of client sessions, sometimes with less emotional load. Bonus tip: Record everything. Use a tool like OpusClips to create smaller Reel length videos to promote and sell the replay.
Summer Programs & Camps.
Perfect if you already work with children or families. Many of these camps will contract with a provider to have someone available when kids are present. This isn’t permanent, but an help fill in the summer slump hours that come.
Concierge/VIP Experiences.
Some therapists design bespoke support experiences around weddings, births, relocations, or major life transitions.
Product Creation.
Self-care kits, affirmation decks, apparel, or card games can build brand recognition and passive income.
TikTok Shop Affiliate Income.
Some therapists are bringing in a few thousand a month recommending products they genuinely use.
Travel Club.
For therapists who enjoy community-building and travel planning, this can be surprisingly profitable.
Non-Clinical “Sleep Coin” Ideas Therapists Are Exploring
Who says that you have to be a one trick pony? If you can’t stomach another clinical hour, but still want more income, consider something completely different.
Day Trading.
Some therapists report earning $10k–$27k monthly, but let’s be honest: there’s a steep learning curve, real risk, and it’s not for everyone. Most who have found success, suggest finding a mentor or taking a course to get some basics.
College Application Reading.
Universities hire seasonal reviewers, and the pay can be meaningful with the right workload.
Ambassador, Affiliate or Referral Programs.
Recurring payouts can be limitless depending on the program.
Dropping a Mixtape.
Okay, this one came straight from the therapist comments, but consider it a reminder that creative expression matters too. This could be related to meditation, relaxation, healthy relationships or just something nice to listen to while you workout.
Before Adding a Side Hustle: Maximize Your Practice Revenue First
Here’s the truth most therapists skip: sometimes you don’t need a side hustle, you need a more profitable practice.
Before adding anything new to your plate, audit:
Your rates
Your niche and messaging
Your schedule and boundaries
Your cancellation policy
Your caseload structure
Your marketing consistency
Your admin systems
Many therapists leave thousands on the table every month because the business isn’t optimized. A side hustle won’t fix weak foundations. But once your practice is stable, diversifying income is smart, not reactive.
If you want support tightening your practice before you add more to your plate, I’m hosting Q1 Kickstart sessions to help you enter the new year with clarity, structure, and a strategic revenue plan.
Your skills open the door to dozens of income options. The key is choosing the ones that support your life without draining you. Whether you want a light side project, a scalable digital brand, or a second specialty, there has never been a better time to diversify your income in ways that feel aligned and sustainable.
If you want help deciding your next step, or maximizing the revenue you already have, your Q1 Kickstart session is the perfect place to start.