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5 Income Streams Therapists Should Be Thinking About (Besides 1:1 Work)
- Sharon Thornley
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
If the only way your practice makes money is by showing up for a session... you’re one cancelled appointment away from feeling the pressure.
Let’s be honest — relying only on 1:1 client work is exhausting. And risky.
What if you get sick? Need a break? Want to go part-time?Or just... want to grow without working more hours?
You don’t need to burn out to earn more.
Here are 5 income streams therapists should absolutely be thinking about — and yes, they’re ethical, aligned, and totally doable.
1. 🖥️ Digital Products
Got a technique you always teach in sessions? A journal you recommend? A resource you’ve handmade for clients?
That’s your product.
Create and sell:
Journals & workbooks
PDF toolkits
Therapy card decks
Guided worksheets
📍Where to sell: Etsy, Gumroad, your own website💡 Bonus tip: Make a “resource shop” page on your site for clients & visitors
2. 🎓 Self-Paced Courses
Courses aren’t just for coaches and influencers. Therapists are already teaching — the difference is now you record it once and let it work for you.
Try mini-courses like:
“How to Manage Social Anxiety”
“Boundaries for Empaths”
“Understanding Trauma Responses”
📍Use platforms like Teachable, Podia, or Thinkific💡 Keep it low-stress: even 3-5 short videos is enough for a powerful course
3. 🤝 Affiliate Marketing
If you’re already recommending books, therapy tools, apps, or platforms — why not get paid for it?
Ethical affiliate marketing lets you share:
Therapy books (Amazon or Bookshop.org)
Apps like Calm, Headspace, or BetterHelp
Favourite journals, tools, or courses
💡 Pro tip: Create a “My Recommendations” page and use affiliate links you believe in
4. 📩 Membership or Subscription Models
You don’t have to go big — even a small monthly offer can add a layer of recurring income.
Ideas:
A monthly journaling prompt subscription
A “Client Club” with digital resources and private podcast
A therapist peer group with Q&A sessions or co-working
📍Use Patreon, Podia, or MemberVault to host💡 Start with something simple + valuable
5. 🧾 Templates & Tools for Other Therapists
If you’re further along in your journey, there are newer therapists who would love to buy what you’ve already created.
Things like:
Intake forms
Client welcome packs
Email templates
Private practice setup guides
Canva graphics or social media packs
📍Where to sell: Your website, Etsy, or marketplaces for professionals💡 Pair this with blogging or LinkedIn content to attract fellow therapists
You Deserve to Earn Without Burning Out
Passive and scalable income streams aren’t about chasing money — they’re about creating freedom, flexibility, and sustainability in your practice.
It’s about: ✔ Supporting people in more accessible ways✔ Taking pressure off your calendar✔ Having something to fall back on when life happens
And yes — it’s about building a business that supports you, too.
Want Help Creating One of These Income Streams?
At LLJ Marketing, we help therapists and counsellors turn their skills into income — from product strategy to digital design and done-for-you marketing.
Let’s bring your ideas to life — simply, ethically, and without the overwhelm.
📞 Book a free discovery call today🧠 Follow us for bite-sized marketing tips and passive income inspo for therapists
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