A few months ago, I wrote a blog on a couple passive income ideas for therapists. I have successfully implemented both ideas and they continue to bring in extra cash every month. That blog has proven popular and I received many follow up questions from therapists around the world. All in all, I have started five different businesses since I finished school in 2005. I plan on continuing to create businesses in the mental health sector for as long as I can. I do it because I seem to have a knack for it, I love starting new projects and honestly, the mental health field is behind when it comes to innovative ideas. Because of the lack of innovation, there are plenty of gaps in the market for us therapists to fill.
Below is a list of my favorite 24 passive income ideas. I would like try all of these before I retire. In the spirit of abundance (and healthy competition) I hope you will to. Please feel free to take one of them (or all of them) and put your personal spin on it.
Disclaimer: Some of these ideas are not very “passive” and do take a lot of energy and time, especially up front. For the purposes of this article, I’m defining “passive” as something you can do in addition to your regular therapy private practice. I also realize that I am oversimplifying some very complicated and time consuming concepts (sure Jeff, writing a best seller seems like a totally quick and easy way to make money) — but my goal is just to get you thinking about all the possibilities. Many of these ideas can turn into full fledged businesses that could lead to a brand new career in the mental health industry.
1. Sell an Ebook
Are you an expert on something? Yes, you are! Well, you probably are. Take your expertise and and put it into Ebook form. Topics can range anywhere from dealing with a panic attack to improving communication with your partner to getting over a fear of public speaking. Use your mental health know how and write an online book. It doesn’t have to be long. It just needs to be comprehensive enough to address the problem you’d like solve. Now sell it on your website or get it on Amazon.
Don’t know the first thing about how to create an Ebook? Google it.
2. Create a blog and get affiliate links
Blog about mental health topics that you feel passionate about and interested in. Come up with unique perspectives and controversial views in order to get some publicity. This one is going to take a bit of time, but you can work on it a little every week and start to build a little following.
Once you have a bit of a following, contact folks who are selling mental health products you believe in and that would be a good fit for your audience (for example info products, books, online tools and resources, trainings, and workshops). You can promote their products on your blog or to your mailing list. Every time somebody purchases their product from your website, you get a cut of the revenue.
3. Create corporate retreats and workshops
This idea might be the most fun out of all of them. You know how corporations bring in mental health professionals to run all day events on how to trust your coworkers or fight burn out or use non-violent communication in the workplace? You can put those events together and charge a ton of money.
4. Join Talkspace
Have you heard of Talkspace? It’s an app that people can use to talk or text a therapist throughout the week. As a licensed therapist, you can join and be one of those therapists. Taking on a small Talkspace caseload will provide you with additional revenue each month and help bring access to mental health services to new groups.
If you are a therapist, listen to the new podcast Say More About That. In this episode Jeff talks to Alyssa about what it's really like to work for Talk Space and Better Help. She currently works for both companies and will give you a complete rundown on the pros and cons. Click play below or listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
5. Sell an online course
I talked extensively about this idea in my last blog. The nice thing about this idea is that it can live on the internet after you’ve created it and continue to bring in cash with small updates here and there. There is some heavy lifting up front when creating an online course, but there is a good amount of money to be had if you’re successful. Online courses are all the rage right now. You might not want to miss out.
Check out teachable.com to learn more about publishing courses.
6. Create an app
We all have app ideas, don’t we? Take your mental health app idea and get it made. There are tons of companies and freelancers that will help you bring your app to life. It may be more affordable than you think.
7. Create a youtube channel
Start recording yourself giving mental health tips. Ask viewers to send you questions that they’d like to be answered. Be funny or unique in some way and start to gather a following. Then sell ads on your channel once you have enough subscribers. Or get picked up by a network and get your own show on TV or radio. Bam. I just made you a star!
8. Create an Instagram account
You may be wondering how an Instagram account is going to bring in any money for you. That’s understandable. But once you have 100K followers because of all the mental health tips, quotes and photos, you’ll have enough content to publish a cool little book that can be sold at Urban Outfitters. Or, what’s more commonly done, you can create little products such as tote bags or t-shirts that are on brand with your Instagram account to sell to all your followers. It’s a real business. I promise!
9. Start a podcast
Honestly there just aren’t enough quality podcasts run by therapists. Do you have a niche? Good! Now start a podcast around it. Remember to give me a shoutout once you hit the iTunes top 10. You’ll be rolling in the dough by selling ads on your show.
If you are a therapist, listen to the new podcast Say More About That. A podcast created specifically for therapists to learn more about what clients really want in a counselor. In this episode Jolyn, a woman in her 40's saw her therapist for 10 years and grew in ways she never expected. To hear about her journey click play below or listen on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
10. Make websites for therapists
Do you know how to make a website using Squarespace or Wordpress? Well then you’re way ahead of a the curve compared to most therapists who want nothing to do with building a website. Charge somewhere between $500 and $2000 per website, depending on your skill level and market, and you’ll be good to go.
11. Private practice consultant
Have you learned a ton about starting your own private practice? If so, you probably have a lot of wisdom to pass on to new therapists or counselors that are struggling to attract more clients. Advertise your services to these practitioners and create a coaching plan. Once you’ve figured out how to help your local friends, take your business online and start helping therapists around the world.
12. Be a design consultant for therapists
Have you discovered that you’re an amazing designer when it comes to therapy offices? Do you know how to blend style with a feeling of being emotionally safe and secure. Well, many therapists don’t know how to put together their office and they would be more than willing to throw down some cash in order for someone to pick everything out for them.
Want to see the rest of the list? Click here and I’ll email you 12 more business ideas.
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Jeff Guenther, LPC, is a therapist in Portland, OR. He has been in private practice since 2005. Jeff is the creator and owner of Portland Therapy Center, a highly ranked therapist directory. Jeff, and his team, have launched a new progressive therapist directory, TherapyDen.
