Diversifying Your Income as a Private Practice Clinician: Beyond the Therapy Room

Running a private practice can be incredibly rewarding, but relying solely on one-on-one client sessions for income can lead to burnout and financial vulnerability. Whether it's seasonal dips in client bookings, insurance limitations, or personal capacity, private practice clinicians benefit from creating multiple revenue streams.

Diversifying your income isn't just smart—it’s necessary for long-term sustainability and growth. Below are six high-impact ways to expand your income and influence, all while staying aligned with your clinical passions and skills.

1. Offer Clinical Supervision

If you're fully licensed and meet your state’s requirements, providing supervision to pre-licensed therapists or interns is a natural extension of your practice.

Why it works:

• Consistent, recurring income.

• Strengthens your leadership skills.

• Keeps you connected to the next generation of clinicians.

• Reinforces your clinical knowledge and sharpens your skills.

Tip: You can offer both individual and group supervision sessions. Group formats allow you to increase your hourly rate while supporting more people at once.

2. Teach at a College or University

Teaching psychology, counseling, or mental health courses at a local college or online program can provide a steady side income—and elevate your credibility in the field.

Why it works:

• Flexibility to teach part-time or adjunct.

• Builds authority in your niche.

• Expands your professional network.

• Provides variety in your weekly schedule.

Tip: Look for adjunct faculty roles at community colleges, graduate programs, or even online universities. Experience in private practice is often highly valued by academic institutions.

3. Book Speaking Engagements

Whether you're presenting at conferences, community events, schools, or corporate wellness programs, public speaking is a powerful way to grow your brand—and your income.

Why it works:

• Positions you as an expert in your niche.

• Reaches audiences beyond your therapy room.

• Opens doors to future consulting or media opportunities.

Tip: Start local. Offer to speak at nonprofit events, libraries, or networking groups. Build a signature presentation around your niche expertise (e.g., “Understanding Trauma in Teens” or “Mental Wellness in the Workplace”).

4. Create and Host Workshops or Trainings

Use your clinical knowledge to design group workshops for the public or CEU-eligible trainings for other professionals. These can be in-person or virtual.

Why it works:

• Scalable income (one-to-many format).

• Supports passive or semi-passive revenue.

• Increases visibility in your community or online.

Ideas:

• “Mindfulness for Busy Professionals” workshop.

• Parenting support groups.

• Ethics or trauma-informed care trainings for other clinicians.

Tip: Partner with local organizations or use platforms like Eventbrite, Teachable, or Zoom to reach broader audiences.

5. Develop Niche-Specific Workbooks or Digital Products

Turn your expertise into downloadable or physical products. Workbooks, journals, therapy tools, or psychoeducational guides can become excellent sources of passive income.

Why it works:

• You create once and sell repeatedly.

• Helps clients between sessions.

• Builds your brand beyond direct services.

Examples:

• A grief journal for teens.

• A trauma recovery workbook for survivors.

• A self-esteem activity guide for parents to use with kids.

Tip: Use platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Amazon KDP to sell digital or print-on-demand materials.

6. Consulting for Organizations or Businesses

Use your clinical expertise to advise schools, nonprofits, or companies. Many organizations need mental health consultants to design policies, offer training, or support wellness initiatives.

Why it works:

• Often higher-paying than therapy sessions.

• Less emotionally demanding.

• Builds long-term relationships with institutions.

Tip: Identify a problem you’re passionate about solving (e.g., preventing burnout in educators) and pitch a solution.

Interested in learning more about starting your own private therapy practice?

If you’re a friendly, professional clinician, ready to take the next steps toward private practice in the south shore, we would love to speak with you.

Please contact Karen Peabody: 774-222-3196 | Email: info@forgewellsolutions.com

Karen Peabody, LICSW is a therapist and business consultant for social workers and therapists interested in starting their private practice. She founded Forgewell Solutions in East Bridgewater, MA. Her office is a great place to start a private practice. Visit her FOR THERAPISTS page to learn more.