Being a psychotherapist often feels like riding a financial rollercoaster, with its unpredictable ups and downs. One month you’re booked solid; the next, your schedule is a sea of empty slots and cancellations. And if you take a vacation or are ill? That’s just unpaid leave.

I’ve talked in past articles about how to prevent the “income leaks” that come with not charging for missed sessions and from running overtime in sessions.  But can you earn money when you are sitting on a beach with a coconut drink in your hand, or in bed with the flu? Or when your caseload takes that mysterious dip?

Yes, it is possible. Today I’ll talk about 10 non-therapy income sources, and how they can save your wallet — and your sanity.

My story

I had hit “crispy” status — you know, that pre-burnout state. My empathy was non-existent, and my savings account was, too. I felt like a hamster on a wheel, unable to get ahead, and soooo tired. I wanted to earn more money, but I couldn’t face seeing more clients.

I realized I needed to uncouple my financial survival from the therapy hour. I needed sources of income that didn’t involve the intensity of client care. Better yet, I wanted some sources of “passive income,” where I earned money while at home in my pajamas watching “Fixer Upper” (don’t judge me).

So, I got creative, and started playing around with new projects. I started doing occasional consultations. I offered to give a few talks. I started writing my book. I eventually started my newsletter and discovered how much I enjoyed writing articles. It all felt fun and fresh, and the variety gave me a much-needed break from the usual grind.

With each new venture, I was surprised to discover a new part of myself, like an unused muscle that was there all along. By mixing things up, I didn’t just pad my bank account — I actually started feeling like myself again, full of energy and excitement for my work. In short, I got my mojo back.

And I’m not alone…

Heard’s 2026 Financial State of Private Practice Report showed that about 40% of clinicians surveyed reported earning income from at least one source other than therapy. In fact, the average therapist reported bringing in non-therapy income of $8895 annually. That’s a big chunk of change.

Beyond the couch: 10 popular secondary income options

The Heard survey found therapists had a wide variety of side hustles. Here are some of the most common:.

Supervision: Like the idea of mentoring new clinicians?  It can be a way to give back, but also  a steady revenue stream that doesn’t involve the same stress as taking more clients of your own.  Just be sure to invest in supervisor training, so you know the rules and regs.

Consulting:  If you have a niche expertise, packaging that knowledge for peers or the public can be very lucrative. It’s a great way to use your knowledge without the emotional intensity of the therapy hour, and can just be more fun.  Plus, you usually don’t need to write a progress note after a consulting call!

Teaching: Whether you’re looking at adjunct roles at local universities or dreaming up your own curriculum, teaching is a classic way to diversify and expand your income.  Check course catalogs and reach out to course coordinators—they are often hungry for guest speakers and instructors. Employers also need a variety of trainers, for example, to give Mandatory Sexual Harassment and Chemical Dependency Trainings (I did these via an Employee Assistance Program).  At one point in my career, I enjoyed teaching resume- writing and job hunting skills to the unemployed.

Speaking & Webinars:  Speaking at conferences is great for exposure, but not steady income, so you can create your own revenue through recorded webinars. I started by just recording my own slide presentations on Zoom with no audience except my ever-appreciative dog, Max; that way, there was no performance anxiety.  Afterwards, I sold the recording in my online store. Once you’re more confident, you can move to webinars with live audiences, which for me were the most lucrative.  You may also want to become a CE provider to earn passive income from granting CE credits. 

Talks aimed at the general public can also earn income, and get your name out. Consider what talks might interest your favorite client population.   They can be diagnosis-specific, or simply facilitating general educational talks like healthy communication, fair fighting, anger management, assertiveness and parenting can be a fun new way to share your experience and knowledge.  

Coaching:  Wellness coaching, business coaching, and career coaching are options to explore.  But do not advertise yourself as a “coach” as a workaround to practice therapy across state lines without a license. Coaching is a distinct skill set—if you decide to pivot, get training and be very clear about the difference between coaching and therapy.  Read my article about coaching here

Writing: I like to say that I have fallen in love three times:  first with psychology (in my first college psych class), second with my husband, and later in my life, with writing.  Even when I’m just writing about insurance telehealth modifiers, the act of writing feeds my soul.  You may not think you have what it takes to write a novel or even a blog or article, but if you’re passionate about what you know, give it a try – it is possible the words will flow out.  

For me, writing a book was more of a passion project – it took me 18 months to write the first edition, and it wasn’t a huge money maker.  And I didn’t care, because it had relit my fire.  But it also offered instant credibility that opened many exciting doors.   I was also able to earn some income by writing for other organizations.  However, a consistent e-newsletter has been where the real business growth happened for me.  By sharing valuable content for free on a regular basis, you build the trust required for people to purchase your paid resources.  You are consistently in front of your desired audience, and you slowly build a list of followers who value your work.  And hopefully, you just enjoy the writing.

Retreats:  Beyond clinical work, retreats often incorporate wellness activities, workshops, or group experiences, making them a way to provide diverse services and a potentially high-revenue alternative to traditional sessions.  Retreats can also be a creative way to provide services that often fall outside standard insurance constraints. This can often allow you to set rates independently of insurance contracts. 

Products:  Continually offering your expertise through new digital or physical products is a powerful way to generate income. Whether it’s an e-book, book, a collection of worksheets, recorded webinars, or a game, products allow you to reach a wider audience without trading your time.  Look at the resources you already use—like client handouts or specialized tools—and consider how they could be packaged into a valuable resource available for purchase. 

Testing:  Consider creating tests or getting training to provide tests.  These may be personality tests, mental health diagnostic tests, academic or career tests.  Or you may focus on testing for specific diagnosis areas like ADHD.  Again, often these are not covered by insurance, so you may be able to set fees without regard to your network insurance contract.

Office Rental:   While not mentioned in the Heard survey, this is a popular source of passive income.  If you still have a physical office, subrenting during your off-hours can eliminate or reduce a fixed expense.  At one point I had three people subrenting when I wasn’t there, including evenings and weekends, which completely covered the rent.   Beyond careful initial vetting, the arrangement requires minimal ongoing effort, yet provides a reliable source of monthly income.

How to get started

Ready to consider some passive income?  Read Simplepractice’s helpful article “Guide to Creating Passive Income Streams as a Therapist”.   Keep an open mind, and let yourself think outside the box.  Don’t be too quick to dismiss new ideas.

The take away

Any side hustle will involve continual marketing and effort.  But secondary income streams – especially passive income — can help cushion you from income fluctuations by bringing in stable income.  And by mixing up your routine, diversifying your schedule, and finding new ways to apply your knowledge and experience, you can protect your sanity, prevent burnout, and keep your creative spark from flickering out.