14 Passive Income Ideas For Therapists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a therapist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a therapist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a therapist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a therapist, you could create an online course sharing your expertise on topics like coping strategies, mental wellness, or stress management. By packaging your knowledge into a structured course, you could help more people even when you're not directly working with clients. This method not only allows you to reach a wider audience but also lets you generate passive income once the course is created and launched.
Considering the e-learning market is expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, there's a significant opportunity to earn extra money by teaching online. You could choose a target audience such as other therapists looking to expand their skills, parents needing guidance on child psychology, or individuals seeking personal growth. By using an online learning platform, you could sell your course to people from all over the world, creating a steady stream of income as your course gains popularity.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
As a therapist, starting a podcast could be a great way to supplement your income by sharing your knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. You could talk about common mental health issues, offer tips for dealing with stress, or discuss current trends in therapy. This could not only help more people but also establish you as an authority in your field.
To begin, you could choose a specific niche that you're passionate about, such as anxiety management, relationship counseling, or self-care strategies. Basic equipment like a microphone and headphones, along with a free or affordable hosting platform, is all you need to get started. By promoting your podcast through social media and online communities, you could build an audience and eventually attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a source of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a therapist, starting a YouTube channel could provide you with a unique way to share your expertise in mental health and wellness. You could create content that offers helpful tips on managing stress, improving relationships, or practicing mindfulness, reaching a wider audience beyond your clients. This platform not only allows you to share valuable information but also helps in establishing yourself as an authority in your field.
Monetizing your channel through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise can supplement your income. By regularly posting quality content and engaging with your viewers, you could build a loyal following. While it requires effort to plan, shoot, and edit your videos, the potential for financial reward and the satisfaction of helping more people make it a worthwhile endeavor.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
4. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a practical way for you to supplement your income and gain passive earnings as a therapist. By focusing on an underserved and profitable niche related to mental health or therapy, such as stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, or practical tips for navigating relationships, you could engage a passionate online community. Creating unique and informative content like how-to guides, personal commentary, and top product lists related to your niche could draw in a dedicated audience.
To monetize your blog, you might include affiliate links to recommended books or tools, collaborate with brands relevant to therapy, or even expand into video content on platforms like YouTube. Regularly updating your blog with engaging content and actively interacting with your followers are crucial steps in building a loyal following. This way, your blog could become a reliable source of passive income while allowing you to share valuable knowledge and resources.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
5. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
By starting a health and wellness app, you could leverage your expertise as a therapist to provide personalized mental well-being exercises, stress-relief techniques, and progress tracking for users. Your background in mental health makes you uniquely qualified to develop content that promotes overall wellness, integrating mental and physical health strategies.
Imagine your app serving as a virtual coach in users' pockets, offering tailored yoga practices, meal plans, and reminders to stay hydrated, all based on individual needs. This could not only help you supplement your income but also expand your impact beyond traditional therapy sessions.
Building this app would require collaboration with other health experts, market research, app development, and effective marketing. However, the potential to positively affect countless lives while tapping into a growing market makes it an exciting and rewarding entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a therapist, you could develop a mobile app that offers mental health resources, self-care techniques, or mindfulness exercises. This type of app could provide ongoing support to your clients between sessions and reach a broader audience beyond your local community. With the growing reliance on digital solutions for health and wellness, your app could become a valuable tool for many seeking mental health support.
Turning your idea into a mobile app might seem challenging, but it's more feasible than you might think. You could start by planning the user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and ensuring your app is user-friendly. If you're not tech-savvy, hiring a skilled developer could bring your vision to life. By effectively marketing your app, you could attract a large number of users, generating passive income while helping people manage their mental health more effectively.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
7. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a practical way for you to supplement your income as a therapist. By leveraging your professional expertise and insights, you could recommend products and services that benefit your clients, like therapy-related books, online courses, or wellness products. This way, you can earn commissions from products that genuinely add value to the well-being of your clients.
To get started, you could explore affiliate programs from brands and eCommerce stores that align with your therapy practice. For instance, partnering with a manufacturer of mental health tools or online therapy platforms could be a fitting choice. This allows you to build a passive income stream by simply integrating these product recommendations into your practice and online presence, all the while supporting your clients' journey toward better mental health.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
8. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As a therapist, you could leverage your professional expertise and start a subscription box business tailored to mental wellness. Imagine sending your clients or a broader audience a carefully curated selection of relaxation aids, mindfulness tools, or self-help materials each month. These boxes could include items like stress-relief toys, guided journals, or instructional booklets on coping strategies you often discuss in therapy sessions.
This venture could not only supplement your income but also provide ongoing support to your clients in their daily lives outside of therapy sessions. With the growing demand for mental health support, a subscription box curated by a professional like you would add immense value and foster trust. Plus, it’s a unique way to extend your influence and elevate your brand in the mental health community.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
9. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a therapist, you could leverage your unique understanding of common challenges faced by mental health professionals and clients to create specialized WordPress plugins. For example, you might develop a plugin that helps therapists manage appointments more efficiently, track client progress, or provide secure online consultations. By addressing specific needs within your field, you could establish a steady source of passive income.
Starting a WordPress plugin business might seem technical, but you don’t have to do it alone. You could hire a developer to bring your ideas to life while you focus on identifying the market needs and promoting your plugins. Additionally, selling your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon or on your own website could give you access to a broad audience, fully utilizing your expertise in a new and profitable way.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
10. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Starting a social media automation business could be an exciting way for you, as a therapist, to supplement your income. By leveraging tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, you could help small businesses and influencers maintain a strong online presence without spending countless hours on social media.
Given the high demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there is a great opportunity here. This business would involve you developing or integrating software solutions, keeping up with the latest social media trends, and personalizing your services to meet your clients' specific needs. If you enjoy technology and marketing, this could be a rewarding venture that aligns well with your schedule and expertise.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
11. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a therapist, creating a niche website could be an engaging way to supplement your income by sharing your expertise on specific mental health topics. By focusing on a particular area you're passionate about, such as mindfulness techniques, coping strategies for anxiety, or supporting caregivers, you could attract a dedicated audience seeking your insights and advice.
Once you've built a loyal following, there are various ways to earn money from your niche site. You could explore affiliate marketing by recommending mental health products you trust, place advertisements related to wellness and therapy, or even sell digital products like e-books or online courses. This project might require an initial investment of time in content creation and learning SEO, but it could ultimately become a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
12. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a therapist, you could consider starting a stock photography business to supplement your income. Many therapists have a keen eye for detail and a calming presence, making them well-suited to capture serene and inspiring images. By investing in good photography gear and learning the basics of taking stock photos, you could build an impressive portfolio of high-quality images.
These photos could be sold to businesses, website owners, and bloggers who need visual content for marketing and advertising purposes. With a strong online presence, you could upload your photos to popular stock photography websites and earn passive income each time your images are licensed for use. This side hustle allows you to explore a creative outlet while making extra money with minimal ongoing effort.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
13. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a therapist, starting a print-on-demand business could be an excellent way to supplement your income and make extra money. You could create and sell custom-designed products, such as motivational mugs, phone cases with inspiring quotes, or apparel with mental health awareness messages. These items could easily resonate with your audience and the general public, offering a meaningful way to spread positive messages while generating additional revenue.
Using online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you could reach a global audience without the need for upfront inventory costs. This business model allows you to focus on designing products that reflect your expertise and passion while leaving the printing and distribution to dropshipping services. This flexibility makes it easier to manage alongside your therapy practice, enabling you to grow your business at your own pace from the comfort of your home.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
14. Make passive income with a hygiene product company ($1.18M/month)
Starting a hygiene product company could be a natural extension of your work as a therapist, given your understanding of client needs and well-being. You could create products like soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes that not only support physical health but also align with the therapeutic principles of cleanliness and self-care that you already promote in your practice. By doing so, you could offer your clients an additional means to achieve a sense of well-being and mindfulness.
To make this venture successful, you could leverage your knowledge of client behavior and needs to design products that resonate with them. You could source quality raw materials like oils and fragrances to create high-quality items. A good business plan, including a marketing and financial strategy, would be essential, but your existing network and online presence could give you a head start in reaching potential customers.
Incorporating a solid online presence with a website and social media could help you reach a broader audience and market your products effectively. Over time, this side business could generate passive income and even turn into a rewarding and profitable venture that complements your main profession as a therapist.
How much you can make: $30,000 — $5,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 332 days (?)
A hygiene solutions company founded by Jonathan Bradford now earns £500k/month, after years of developing a wall-mounted antibacterial wipe dispenser that is used in health clubs, workplaces, and in over 100 locations worldwide, and also developing an electronic washroom hygiene monitor.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
