Regardless of what type of therapist you are, you may be a little short on cash. Taking on a side hustle that pays well and doesn't take a lot of time could answer your financial woes. There are a wide variety of side hustles that are available both in-person and online.
What are the Some of the Side Hustles for Therapists?
Therapists can earn extra income through side hustles like self-publishing ebooks, starting a YouTube channel, selling online courses, becoming social media creators, or using print-on-demand products to sell custom merchandise.
How to Find a Good Side Hustle
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To find a good side hustle, you must know what you like and don’t like to do. Think about what expertise you have. Go online and research what jobs match your expertise and experience. Set reasonable expectations for compensation.
Finding a side hustle is a lot easier once you take inventory of your experience. But we've made it easy to match your experience and knowledge with a side hustle.
As a mental health professional who helps other people overcome difficulties in personal and professional development, there are various side hustles to earn some extra for yourself.
Here is a list of side hustles for therapists.
1. Self-Publish an Ebook
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You know your profession, so why not share it with readers? Ebooks have taken the e-commerce world by storm.
You can take your whole experience of dealing with people with mental health issues and mental health assessments and then write an E-Book to share with the world and more money.
It doesn’t take being a skilled wordsmith to write a book. You just need to craft a story if it’s fiction or have the knowledge and experience if it’s non-fiction. It also helps if you’re a good researcher.
If you write your book and develop your own cover art, self-publishing has a low cost and low barrier to entry.
But a serious writer will have a pro design the cover. It would also be wise to hire an editor to do the finishing touches.
Consider a ghostwriter if you're uncomfortable with writing but have information you want to impart.
Most people have an E-book in them.
The book could be a:
- Life story
- A book or resources
- Fiction
- How-to book
Ensure you have a clear objective for your book. Do you want to help people with your therapy skills? It needs to come across strongly that you want to help people.
Publishing and Marketing Your Book
To publish your book you can go to platforms like:
You’ll need to market your book. Most marketing is linked to social media. Don’t be afraid to post snippets of your book or create reels promoting yourself on TikTok.
On the platforms mentioned, you give away the first chapter of your book to entice readers.
The bottom line is you can share your knowledge and earn money simultaneously.
2. Start a YouTube Channel
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YouTube channels are a lucrative way to earn money.
Your YouTube channel could be about:
- Sharing your knowledge
- Discussing current events
- Providing entertainment
- A tutorial
YouTube is a free platform, and it's easy to start a channel. The platform shows ads during your videos, and you can earn a percentage of the revenue from them.
However, to receive a portion of the ads, you'll need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours per year. So, it may take some time before you see any money.
You can upload an unlimited number of videos for free. You’ll need to be consistent with your uploads. It will take you longer to earn money if you’re skipping weeks or months between uploads.
How to Create Videos
You can create videos for free using a smartphone or you can buy a camera. Although the smartphone has a microphone, you’ll have better quality audio if you buy one to attach to the phone.
There are free video editing apps like Davinci Resolve that are easy to use. There are many tutorials on YouTube on how to use it.
You can also use the free version of Canva to create thumbnails.
Have fun with it; remember, consistency will get you to the money faster.
3. Sell Online Courses
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As a therapist, you automatically have an area of expertise. Perhaps you have a hobby you want to teach others. Regardless, you could cash in on your knowledge through an online course.
There are user-friendly online course platforms that make it easy to launch a course.
Some of these platforms include:
Most of these platforms have monthly fees. Some of them retain a portion of the fee when you sell a course.
Pricing for an Online Course
If you’re a beginner, you might need to charge anywhere between ten dollars and $50. That also goes if it’s a mini course. A good baseline for a full-length course is $100.
But if you’ve been around a while and have a following, you can charge between $200 to $350.
Don’t price yourself out of the market it’s better to come in a little low until you’ve established a following.
Ways to Promote an Online Course
Building a blog is a great way to promote your online course. You could use platforms such as:
You must buy a domain and pay a monthly hosting plan, but those are the only expenses besides your time.
If you have created a YouTube channel, you could sell your online course through it. It's a great way to lend credibility to your channel and course.
Other ways to promote your online course are through:
- Social media
- eBooks
- TikTok
An online course can turn into a lucrative business if you have the right marketing.
4. Viral Social Media Creator
There are many forms of viral social media. If you know how to create it, you can earn a lot of money. There are platforms with creator programs like:
- Facebook
- TikTok
- Instagram
These platforms let you monetize and help you monetize different kinds of content. Some of these can be:
- Commentary videos
- Edgy entertainment shorts
- How-to videos
But you'll need high-volume views to make money.
I have also shared how you can earn decent money by watching viral videos in my previous article: Side Hustles for Women.
Do the Social Media Platforms Cost
Social media platforms are free to post on, and users can upload unlimited videos and posts. Many platforms also provide free post and video creation tools.
But you will need a smartphone and possibly a microphone to get started.
5. Create a Podcast to Share Your Knowledge
Podcasting is hot right now. It can be recorded audio only or video. But the trend is going to video podcasts.
Podcasts are pre-recorded files that are edited and then uploaded to podcasting services. The two most popular platforms are Spotify with 34 percent and Apple with 70.2 percent. But YouTube has launched its podcast platform and is quickly gaining traction.
Listeners can watch or listen to your podcast at their convenience.
How are Podcasts Monetized
There are several ways you can earn money.
They include:
- Advertisements.
- Sponsored content.
- Affiliate links in the podcast descriptions.
Some podcasts have paid subscriptions.
6. Sell Print-on-Demand Products
If you have an artistic side, this might be a fun way to sell your talents. You can use illustration or photography to make some cash.
Print-on-demand (POD) products can be a range of products but could encompass:
- T-shirts.
- Mugs.
- Pillows.
- Wall décor.
- Coasters.
You’ll need a POD vendor to accomplish this. With a vendor, all you’ll need to do is upload your artwork and add it to whatever item you want to print. For example, a tote bag or T-shirt. The vendor will then take the item and:
- Print the item on the product.
- Pack the item.
- Ship the product to the customer.
You'll be charged the wholesale cost and shipping fee. You can figure this cost when you price the item for the customer, so in theory, it won't cost you.
Some suppliers you could use are:
You’ll also need an e-commerce platform that integrates with your POD vendor. Some of these include:
Print-on-demand can be a lucrative business model for your side hustle. A POD business’s average monthly income is $4,639. Many reach as high as $9,833 per month.
It really all depends on what you put into it. You can take a passion and earn a lot of money.
7. Buy and Resell Products
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This one is for those of you who like to go to garage sales or thrift shops. If you have a good eye and know what sells, you can turn a profit quickly.
Start with eBay when trying to decide what will sell. Look at the "completed items" listings. You'll get a good idea of what is being sold and for what price. You can also see what didn't sell.
It will give you an idea of how to price. And if you see items that just aren't selling, you'll know what to avoid when you're on a buying trip.
Everything is underpriced at a garage sale. So even if you bought everything, you could end up ahead.
For the smalls you buy, you might make $100 to $1,000 every weekend, depending on how many sales you hit.
Try to group them in the same neighborhoods when going to garage sales. This will save you gas.
8. Affiliate Marketing
You are the affiliate in this scenario. You receive a commission for marketing another person’s or company's product.
You'll have a unique link that you can post. When a customer clicks the link, you'll be on your way to making money.
You can promote the products on your:
- Blog
- YouTube channel
- Social media page
You’ll need to market the product in an appealing way to the customer. It’s important that you are familiar with or have tried the product.
Affiliates usually have a specific audience to which they market. By defining a personal brand or niche it helps to attract customers who will buy.
Types of Affiliate Marketing
In the unattached model, the affiliate doesn’t have an attachment to the product or service they’re promoting. This is generally for those who want to earn income without investing a lot of time. It also is the least effective way to convince a customer to click your link.
The involved model describes someone who is closely tied to the promoted product or service. They have had a good experience and have the authority to make claims about it.
This type of affiliate requires more work but usually has bigger payoffs.
Related is a happy medium between unattached and involved. You don’t necessarily use the product or service, but it’s related to your niche or audience.
For example, you promote a power tool brand that you may not necessarily use but have a DIY YouTube channel where the audience may buy.
How Affiliate Marketers Make Money
The standard affiliate marketing model is pay-per-sale. You only get paid if the customer clicks on your link and purchases the product or service.
The merchant then pays the affiliate a percentage of the sale. Amazon has an affiliate program that pays as low as three percent to ten percent on sales. But other affiliate programs pay more.
For example, HubSpot, a popular CRM platform pays a 30 percent recurring commission for up to one year.
You can always approach a vendor and ask them to set up an affiliate program for you.
Pay per lead is another way to earn money. This is when the vendor pays you for every inquiry. It could be:
- Fill out a form on their website
- Signing up for a trial
- Subscribing to a newsletter
- Downloading software or files
Regardless, when people click on your affiliate link, they end up on the vendor's website and accomplish an action. You are consequently paid for this.
Pay-per-click programs focus on redirecting consumers from the affiliate's platform to the merchant's website. The affiliate is paid based on the merchant's increased web traffic.
9. Dog Sitting and Walking
Image source: dogster.com
This is for dog lovers who want to pick up some extra cash.
This is one of the best ways to make some money that you can spend on your next flight ticket or any other purpose.
You can bring the dog into your home while the owner is gone, or you can go to the owner’s house several times a day.
There are several ways to get clients. They include:
- Advertise in a local dog owner's social media group
- Signs in veterinarian offices
- Rover: an app that connects pet owners with sitters and walkers
- Wag: an app that connects pet owners with sitters and walkers
And you’re not limited to dogs. If cats are more your choice, you can use Rover and Wag for cat sitting as well.
Be aware that both Rover and Wag will take a commission from your rate. But you set the rate so you can account for that.
10. Photographer
You might need more than your smartphone to get hired as a photographer. This is especially true if you want to offer your services to third parties.
Some photography clients you could solicit include:
- Wedding photography: this is the highest earning, but you’ll need a strong portfolio to get gigs. But once you are on a roll, you’ll be booked in advance and have reliable income.
- Portrait photographer: taking headshots for business people, senior pictures, engagement pictures, etc. can give you a steady income.
- pet photography: people love their pets and if you have a knack with animals this may be a good option
- Real estate photography: realtors need pictures of the properties they’re selling, you might even want to try your hand at video.
If you’re more into working on your own and want more of a passive income selling stock photos to a stock photo website like:
Most of these sites pay commissions. But once accepted, you only have to upload the photo and sit back to wait until it sells.
11. Online Tutor
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As a therapist, you’re probably used to helping others. Why not take your knowledge of your favorite subject and tutor?
If you have good communication skills, you can teach online. There are several online websites where you can start as a tutor. They include:
Tutoring can be lucrative. Studypool claims on its website that a tutor with them can earn up to $7,500 monthly. The best part is that you'll be working from home. All you need is a computer and a stable internet connection.
12. Transcriptionist
You’re probably already a good listener, but are you a good typist with good attention to detail? If so, a transcriptionist job is for you.
You listen to recorded or live audio files and you type written versions of them. Transcriptionists are often used in the medical and legal professions. But the corporate world also uses them.
You’ll need to be certified, but once you're ready to start, there are several companies you can work remotely for. They are:
Scribie claims on their website you can make up to $20 per hour.
13. Freelance Writer or Proofreader
Many companies hire writers and proofreaders. Keep in mind, with the number of blogs on the internet, someone has to write them. But there are other writing jobs besides blogs. They might include:
- Emails.
- Advertisements.
- Print pieces.
- Speeches.
If you’re interested in freelance writing, there are various platforms you can go to. Some of them are:
Although they provide you with the opportunity to write, these platforms do take a percentage of your earnings. Ten percent seems to be the standard.
Proofreaders are in demand. Someone needs to check all these freelance writers’ work.
A proofreader ensures content is free of errors like:
- Typographical.
- Grammatical.
- Spelling.
- Syntax.
- Formatting.
You’ll be reading and checking many documents. It requires concentration. There are many proofreading services available that you can work for.
The writing platforms we have already discussed also offer opportunities for proofreading.
14. Coaching
You're already in the "life" business; take it a step further and coach. There are several kinds of coaches. Depending on your talent, try any of these.
Life coaching focuses on a person’s future. It includes their aspirations and what they want to achieve in life. As a life coach, you’ll deal with goal setting and other personal development exercises.
An Enneagram is a personality model that assigns one out of nine possible personality types to an individual. Each Enneagram has its own unique aspects.
An Enneagram coach helps people understand their Enneagram. You can become certified in Enneagram coaching. If you’re a life coach, this will give you an added dimension as to what you can offer.
Career coaching is another form. A career coach will perform a career assessment and help individuals understand their weaknesses and strengths. They also will assist with a job search in several ways. They will help with:
- Mock interviews
- Resume writing
- Networking
They will also help individuals build their personal career brand. This position often works with young people in their 20s.
As a therapist, you’re already set up to pivot to coaching.
You can once more, market yourself on social media or start a blog.
Bonus Tip for You:
You can start your own private practice therapists as a side hustle to help people on mental health topics and this would become an additional income stream for you. These therapy services are ignored by most therapists and you can take advantage of this opportunity.
You can make use of some credits that pay you rewards for using it during your travel. If you don’t know much about that, you can look at our best travel rewards credit card list.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a therapist, you're probably stretched thin for time. But we've discussed some ways that, with a little effort, you can make some spare cash. In case you have additional questions, we have you covered. Here are the most asked questions.
1. What is a lucrative side hustle that pays well?
Dog walking can pay as much as $43 an hour. You’ll need to like dogs and have the time and fortitude to do this several times a day.
2. Do you have to know how to write to publish an E-book?
You do not need to know how to write to publish an E-book. You could have a ghostwriter. Simply dictate your information and let the ghostwriter create the book for you. A ghostwriter will charge anywhere from $30 to $200 per hour. A word-per-rate could be one dollar to ten dollars.
3. Do you have to have a blog to do affiliate marketing?
It is not necessary to have a blog to do affiliate marketing. You could use social media to attract customers to use your links. If you have a YouTube channel, you could place your affiliate links in the description.
Conclusion
There are many different ways for a therapist to branch out and make extra money with a side hustle.
If you have a talent, use it to develop a YouTube channel or podcast. Your love for animals could make you a great dog sitter.
If you are creative and have a sense of marketing, a POD may be for you.
Stretch your wings and go after a side hustle that both makes you money and that you enjoy.
