Feeling Drained After Sessions? Here’s How to Unwind While Making Extra Money
You spend your days listening, guiding, and holding space for others, but by the time your last session ends, you’re mentally and emotionally drained. Therapy is deeply rewarding, yet it can take a toll on your energy.
So, what if you could unwind in a calming way while also making extra money?
A side hustle doesn’t have to be exhausting. The key is to choose low-stress, creative, or passive income ideas that align with your skills and bring you joy, not more burnout.
This guide features 10 relaxing, therapist-friendly side hustles you can start on your own terms, at your own pace—all while nurturing your creativity and well-being.
1. Create & Sell Therapeutic Journals or Workbooks
Turn Your Expertise into a Passive Income Stream
Therapeutic journaling is a powerful self-reflection tool, and as a therapist, you know what kind of prompts can help people process emotions, reduce stress, and gain self-awareness.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a Focus – Ideas include:
- Anxiety relief journal
- Self-care planner
- Gratitude workbook
- Burnout recovery guide
- Therapy client workbook
- Design Your Journal – Use Canva, Affinity Publisher, or Adobe InDesign to create a visually appealing PDF.
- Add Your Expertise – Include daily prompts, reflection exercises, or affirmations to make it valuable.
- Self-Publish or Sell as a Digital Download:
- Upload to Amazon KDP (for printed versions).
- Sell as a PDF download on Etsy or Gumroad.
- Create a therapy blog and sell directly from your website.
📌 Pro Tip: Offer a freebie (e.g., a 5-day self-care journal) in exchange for emails to build an audience for future products.
2. Record Guided Meditations or Mindfulness Audios
Soothing Others While Soothing Yourself
If you have a calm, soothing voice, recording guided meditations can be both relaxing and lucrative.
What You’ll Need:
✅ A quiet space to record (a closet or small room with soft furniture works well).
✅ A USB microphone like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100X.
✅ Free software like Audacity or GarageBand to record and edit.
✅ Background music (royalty-free from sites like Pixabay or Freesound).
Where to Sell or Publish:
- Upload to Insight Timer (popular meditation platform).
- Sell audio files on Etsy or Gumroad.
- Start a YouTube meditation channel (monetize with ads).
- Turn recordings into a paid podcast on Patreon.
📌 Pro Tip: Meditation niches like sleep relaxation, stress relief, or inner child healing tend to perform well.
3. Design & Sell Therapy-Inspired Art or Printables
Creativity as a Form of Self-Care (That Pays!)
If you love doodling, painting, or digital design, turning therapy-inspired art into a product is a great way to relax and earn.
How to Get Started:
- Pick a Niche – Some best-selling ideas include:
- Positive affirmations & mental health quotes (e.g., “Your feelings are valid”)
- Therapist office wall art
- Mindfulness worksheets
- Create Digital Designs – Use Canva, Procreate (for iPad), or Photoshop.
- Sell Your Work – Upload to:
- Etsy (instant digital downloads).
- Redbubble, Society6 (print-on-demand for posters, mugs, stickers).
- Your own therapy website or blog.
📌 Pro Tip: Printable wall art is an easy way to start since no physical shipping is required!
4. Make Aromatherapy Candles or Essential Oil Blends
A Sensory, Hands-On Hobby with Therapeutic Benefits
Candle-making and essential oil blending can be a grounding, creative, and sensory experience.
What You’ll Need:
✅ A candle-making kit (easily found on Amazon).
✅ Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile for relaxation).
✅ Beautiful glass jars or eco-friendly packaging.
How to Sell:
- At local wellness stores or therapy offices.
- Online through Etsy or Instagram shops.
- Offer a therapist self-care candle line.
📌 Pro Tip: Market them as “therapist-designed for stress relief” to stand out!
5. Start a Mental Health Blog
Write About What You Love & Get Paid for It
If you enjoy educating others, sharing insights, and writing, a mental health blog can be a profitable side hustle.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a Niche – Therapy tips, self-care, burnout recovery, etc.
- Set Up a WordPress Blog – Use SiteGround or Bluehost for hosting.
- Write SEO-Optimized Posts – Rank on Google and drive traffic.
- Monetize Your Blog:
- Ads (via Mediavine or Google AdSense)
- Affiliate marketing (recommend therapy books, apps, or journals)
- Sell digital products (journals, printables, workbooks)
📌 Pro Tip: Pinterest is your best traffic source—create eye-catching pins for your posts.
6. Sell Therapist-Inspired Merch (T-Shirts, Mugs, Stickers)
Humor + Mental Health = A Winning Combo
If you have a sense of humor or love designing, print-on-demand therapy merch is a fun way to make extra cash.
How to Get Started:
- Brainstorm funny or inspiring therapist quotes.
- Create designs using Canva or Photoshop.
- Use Printify, Printful, or Teespring (they handle printing & shipping).
Where to Sell:
- Etsy
- Redbubble, Society6, or TeeSpring
📌 Pro Tip: Stickers and mugs tend to sell faster than T-shirts.
7. Offer Virtual Self-Care Coaching
A Low-Energy Way to Support Clients Without 1:1 Therapy
If you love guiding people but want a break from formal therapy sessions, self-care coaching is a fantastic alternative. Instead of diagnosing and treating, self-care coaches help clients build sustainable habits, set boundaries, and create wellness routines..
How to Get Started:
✅ Choose Your Coaching Niche: Some ideas include:
- Burnout recovery for healthcare workers
- Self-care planning for busy professionals
- Emotional regulation coaching for parents
- Stress management for students
✅ Decide on Your Coaching Format: - 1:1 Zoom coaching sessions (weekly or bi-weekly)
- Group coaching programs (structured 4-6 week courses)
- Pre-recorded self-care workshops (one-time purchase)
✅ Set Up Your Booking System: Use Calendly or Acuity Scheduling for easy client bookings.
✅ Market Your Coaching Services: - Create a simple landing page with Kajabi, Wix, or WordPress
- Offer free self-care tips on Instagram or TikTok
- Run a free masterclass to attract clients
✅ Charge for Your Time & Expertise: - 30-minute self-care sessions: $50-$100 per session
- Group programs: $200-$500 per client
- Pre-recorded workshop: $27-$97 (passive income)
📌 Pro Tip: To build trust, offer a free 15-minute self-care consultation before selling a paid program!
8. Create & Sell Therapy-Based Online Courses
Help More People While Earning Recurring Income
One of the most profitable and scalable side hustles for therapists is creating online courses. Instead of repeating the same advice in one-on-one sessions, you can package your expertise into structured lessons that help a wider audience—without taking up your time.
Why It’s Relaxing for Therapists:
✅ No client interaction required (unless you choose to do live coaching).
✅ Earn passive income after creating the course once.
✅ Helps more people beyond your local practice.
Best Therapy-Based Course Ideas:
- Stress & Anxiety Management – Coping techniques for daily life.
- Self-Care Strategies for Burnout Prevention – Especially popular for healthcare workers and parents.
- Emotional Regulation Skills – For individuals struggling with mood swings or emotional overwhelm.
- Mindfulness & Meditation Practices – A deep dive into relaxation techniques.
- How to Set Healthy Boundaries – For people-pleasers and those in toxic relationships.
- Therapist Business Courses – Helping fellow therapists launch private practices or grow their online presence.
How to Get Started:
1️⃣ Outline Your Course Content – Start with 3-6 modules covering key lessons.
2️⃣ Choose Your Course Format – Options include:
- Pre-recorded video lessons (most popular)
- Audio-only courses (great for mindfulness or self-care topics)
- Downloadable PDF workbooks
3️⃣ Record Your Lessons – Use Loom, Zoom, or a DSLR camera for high-quality videos.
4️⃣ Host Your Course on a Platform: - Teachable (most beginner-friendly)
- Thinkific (great for interactive lessons)
- Podia (affordable & easy to use)
- Gumroad (best for simple PDF-based courses)
5️⃣ Market Your Course: - Create Pinterest graphics to drive traffic.
- Offer a free mini-course as a lead magnet.
- Share clips on Instagram Reels or TikTok to attract students.
How to Monetize:
💰 Sell courses for $47-$497, depending on depth.
💰 Offer VIP packages with live Q&A coaching sessions.
💰 Create subscription-based courses for ongoing income ($10-$30 per month).
📌 Pro Tip: Low-cost mini-courses ($27-$97) sell better than expensive, high-ticket courses—especially if you’re just starting out!
9. Craft Handmade Worry Stones & Fidget Tools
Hands-On, Meditative & Easy to Sell
Many therapists recommend grounding objects like worry stones and fidget tools for anxiety relief, ADHD, and stress management. If you love working with your hands, making these items can be a creative, calming, and profitable side hustle.
Why It’s Relaxing for Therapists:
✅ Tactile & meditative – The process of shaping, painting, or engraving stones is therapeutic.
✅ No tech skills required – Just creativity and craftsmanship.
✅ Instantly marketable – Therapy offices, educators, and wellness shops love them.
Types of Worry Stones & Fidget Tools You Can Make:
- Engraved Affirmation Stones – Small polished stones with words like Calm, Breathe, Strength.
- Clay Fidget Tools – Custom-made soft-textured pieces to keep hands busy.
- Crystal Energy Stones – Using amethyst, rose quartz, or black obsidian for relaxation and grounding.
- Wooden Sensory Fidget Rings – Lightweight, pocket-friendly anxiety tools.
How to Get Started:
1️⃣ Choose Your Materials:
- Natural stones (river rocks, tumbled gemstones)
- Polymer clay (for customizable shapes)
- Wood pieces (for engraved or laser-cut designs)
2️⃣ Design Your Worry Stones or Fidget Tools: - Hand-paint words or symbols with waterproof acrylic paint.
- Use a Dremel engraver for professional-looking designs.
- Seal with resin or varnish for a polished finish.
3️⃣ Package Them Thoughtfully: - Add a self-care card explaining how to use them.
- Offer small pouches for carrying them in pockets.
Where to Sell:
💰 Etsy – The best platform for handmade items.
💰 Wellness & Therapy Offices – Offer to local practitioners.
💰 Subscription Boxes – Pitch your products to self-care subscription companies.
💰 Local Gift Shops or Farmers Markets – Many stores love stocking handmade anxiety tools.
Pricing & Monetization:
- Hand-painted worry stones: $10-$20 each
- Custom clay fidget tools: $15-$30
- Crystal-infused anxiety sets: $25-$50
- Therapist office bulk orders: Sell in packs of 10 for $100+
📌 Pro Tip: Bundle worry stones with a mini affirmation card deck or a self-care workbook to increase sales!
10. Create ASMR & Relaxation Content
A Soothing, Low-Stress Side Hustle That Pays
If you have a calming voice and enjoy whispering, storytelling, or making soothing sounds, ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) content creation could be a lucrative and relaxing side hustle. Many people use ASMR for anxiety relief, sleep, and relaxation, making it a perfect niche for therapists.
How to Get Started:
✅ Decide on Your ASMR Niche:
- Whispered self-care affirmations
- Relaxing therapy-style storytelling
- Gentle tapping or nature sounds
- Guided ASMR meditations for sleep
✅ Get a Simple Recording Setup: - USB Microphone: Blue Yeti or Rode NT-USB
- Headphones: Audio-Technica or Sony
- Editing Software: Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition
✅ Choose a Platform to Share Your Content: - YouTube (ad revenue & sponsorships)
- Spotify & Apple Podcasts (monetized podcasts)
- Patreon (offer exclusive ASMR content to subscribers)
✅ Monetization Strategies: - YouTube ad revenue ($3-$5 per 1,000 views)
- Patreon memberships ($5-$20 per month per subscriber)
- Selling relaxation audio files on Etsy or Gumroad
📌 Pro Tip: The sleep and stress relief ASMR niche is huge on YouTube—people love soft-spoken therapists creating calming content!
Final Thoughts: Unwind & Earn Without Burnout
Therapists need side hustles that bring joy, creativity, and financial freedom—without draining them. Whether it’s journaling, mindfulness recordings, or crafting, there’s an option for every personality.
Which one excites you the most? Drop a comment or share your side hustle journey!
