Most psychologists start their careers working in clinics or hospitals, but there are other opportunities available for those with a creative mind and a willingness to take on extra work. A side hustle can be a great way to use your skills and knowledge in new and interesting ways, while also earning some additional money.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to take on side hustles and extra income opportunities. After all, we have the training and skills to be successful in a wide variety of fields beyond our traditional work in therapy and counseling.
Not sure what kind of side hustle is right for you? This guide to the best side hustles for psychologists will explore some of the best options for psychologists looking to make additional income.
Online Counseling
One option for a side hustle is online counseling. This can be a great way to reach out to clients who may not be able to come into your office for traditional sessions. It also allows you to work from home, which can be a great perk.
To get started, all you need is a computer with a webcam and a secure internet connection. You can then use video conferencing software like Skype or Zoom to conduct sessions with your clients. Many online counseling services also offer HIPAA-compliant platforms that are specifically designed for therapist-client communication.
Online counseling can be a great way to reach out to new clients and expand your practice. Some of the primary benefits of online counseling as a side hustle include:
- You can work from anywhere:
As long as you have a computer and an internet connection, you can conduct online counseling sessions from anywhere in the world. This is great for psychologists who travel frequently or who have other commitments that make it difficult to meet with clients in person.
- It’s convenient for clients:
Clients who may not be able to come into your office for traditional sessions can still benefit from counseling by meeting with you online. This is especially beneficial for clients who live in rural areas or who have busy schedules.
- You can reach a larger audience:
By offering online counseling, you can reach out to clients who live in different parts of the country or even the world. This can help you expand your practice and reach new clients that you may not have otherwise had access to. You couple even combine this with an online course. An online course could be a great self help tool for people and allow you to help a much wider audience with their mental health. An online course is also one of the most popular ways to make more money online
Teletherapy
Another option for providing therapy services is teletherapy. This is similar to online counseling, but it uses the phone instead of video conferencing software. This can be a great option for those who want to provide therapy services but don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up video conferencing software.
Many therapists use their personal cell phones for teletherapy services, but you can also use a landline or VoIP phone service. Once you have your phone set up, you can start marketing your services to potential clients.
Teletherapy can be a great side hustle option for psychologists and can provide several benefits. Some of these benefits include.
- Added convenience
Teletherapy is perfect for those who want to provide therapy services but don’t want to deal with the hassle of setting up video conferencing software.
- Great for new clients or those unable to visit the office
It’s also a great way to reach out to new clients who may not be able to come into your office for traditional sessions.
Therapy Groups
Another option for providing therapy services is leading therapy groups. This can be a great way to reach out to new clients and provide them with the support they need in a group setting. It can also be a great way to build your practice and brand.
There are many different types of therapy groups you can lead, so you can choose ones that fit your interests and expertise. For example, you could start a therapy group for anxiety or depression, or you could lead a group for parents of children with special needs.
Some of the most popular types of therapy groups include :
- CBT groups
- Support groups
- Process groups
- Therapy groups for specific disorders or conditions
Therapy groups can be a great way to provide therapy services and can offer many benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Reach out to new clients:
Leading therapy groups is a great way to reach out to new clients who may not be aware of your private practice. It’s also a great way to build your practice and brand.
- Provide support:
Therapy groups provide a great way for clients to get the support they need in a group setting. This can be especially beneficial for those who are dealing with anxiety or depression.
- Build relationships:
Therapy groups provide a great opportunity for you to build relationships with your clients. This can help create a more supportive environment and can make clients more likely to return for future sessions.
As you can see, leading therapy groups can be a great way to provide therapy services and can offer a number of benefits. If you’re interested in starting a therapy group, contact your local mental health association or community center to get started.
Teaching Courses
If you’re looking for a side hustle that will allow you to share your knowledge and expertise, teaching courses could be the perfect option. There are many different types of courses you could teach, such as classes on psychology, research methods, or counseling techniques.
You could also teach courses on specific disorders or conditions, such as anxiety or depression. You could even teach courses on how to start and run a successful private practice.
Teaching courses are a great way to provide therapy services and can offer a number of benefits. Some of these benefits include :
- Share your knowledge and expertise:
Teaching courses are a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. This can help you build your practice and brand.
- Reach out to new clients:
Teaching courses are a great way to reach out to new clients who may not be aware of your private practice. It’s also a great way to build your practice and brand.
- Provide support:
Courses can provide a great way for clients to get the support they need in a group setting. This can be especially beneficial for those who are dealing with anxiety or depression.
Create a Psychology Youtube Channel
Another great way to share your knowledge and expertise is to create a psychology YouTube channel. This can be a great way to reach out to new clients and build your practice. It can also be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others.
Creating a psychology YouTube channel can also be a great way for your to document your therapy sessions. This can be a great way for you to reflect on your practice and improve your skills.
Some of the benefits of creating a psychology YouTube channel include:
- Reach out to new clients:
Creating a YouTube channel is a great way to reach out to new clients who may not be aware of your private practice. It’s also a great way to build your practice and brand.
- Share your knowledge and expertise:
Creating a YouTube channel is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. This can help you build your practice and brand.
- Improve your skills:
Documenting your therapy sessions can be a great way for you to reflect on your own practice and improve your skills.
Consulting
If you have a lot of experience in the field of psychology, you could start a consulting business. This can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others while also making some additional income.
There are many different types of consulting businesses you could start, such as:
A private practice consulting business, which could help other psychologists start and run their private practices.
A research consulting business, which could help researchers with data collection and analysis.
A counseling techniques consulting business, which could help psychologists improve their counseling skills.
Becoming a consultant can offer many benefits, such as:
- Share your knowledge and expertise:
Consulting is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. This can help you build your practice and brand.
- Reach out to new clients:
Consulting is a great way to reach out to new clients who may not be aware of your private practice. It’s also a great way to build your practice and brand.
- Make extra cash:
Consulting can be a great way to make some extra income. This can be especially helpful if you are just starting out in your private practice.
Research
If you’re interested in conducting research, there are many different ways you can get involved. You could start your own research project, collaborate with other researchers on a project, or work as a research assistant.
You could also work as a research consultant, helping other researchers with data collection and analysis. Or you could become a research fellow, working with a research team to conduct studies.
Conducting research is great for psychologists who want to stay up-to-date on the latest findings in the field and contribute to the advancement of psychological knowledge.
Offer Psychological Testing or Screenings
Another way you can use your psychological knowledge is by offering psychological testing or screenings. This could involve administering personality tests, intelligence tests, or aptitude tests.
You could also offer screenings for specific disorders or conditions, such as depression or anxiety. These screenings can help people identify whether they have a disorder or condition and get the treatment they need.
Psychological testing and screenings are great for psychologists who want to help people identify disorders or conditions and get the treatment they need
Start a Podcast
If you’re looking for a way to share your knowledge and expertise with others, starting a podcast could be the perfect option. This can be a great way to build your practice and reach new clients.
There are many different types of podcasts you could start, such as:
A podcast about psychology, discussing various topics in the field.
A podcast about starting and running a private practice.
A podcast about counseling techniques.
A podcast about specific disorders or conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
Starting a podcast is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others. It’s also a great way to build your practice. Some of the other benefits associated with starting a psychology podcast include:
- Reach a wider audience:
Podcasts can help you reach a wider audience than you would be able to reach with just a private practice.
- Grow your practice:
Podcasts can be a great way to build your practice. This is because they can help you reach new clients and build your brand.
Writing
If you enjoy writing, there are many different ways you can use your skills to make additional money. You could start a blog about psychology and write articles on topics that interest you. Writing blog posts about mental health can be a really easy way to get your writing out there, and it means you can work entirely on your own hours.
You could also write books or eBooks about mental health. Or you could become a freelance writer and write articles for psychology magazines or journals.
Choosing writing as a side hustle can have many benefits to a psychologist, for instance, writing allows you to be extremely flexible with your time, so you can easily fit it into your schedule. Writing can also be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others and help more people with their mental health.
Coaching
If you’re looking for a way to help others reach their goals, and improve their mental health, coaching could be the perfect option. Coaching can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise while also helping others achieve their goals.
There are many different types of coaching you could do, such as:
- Career coaching
Career coaching can help people with choosing a career, landing a job, or advancing in their careers. Psychologists can be extremely beneficial career coaches because they have a strong understanding of human behavior and motivation.
- Life coaching
Life coaching can help people with goal setting, time management, and stress management. Psychologists can be extremely beneficial life coaches because they have a strong understanding of human emotions and how to help people manage their behaviors.
- Academic coaching
If you’re a psychologist with experience in education, you could become an academic coach. Academic coaches help students with goal setting, time management, study skills, and test-taking. Psychologists can be especially helpful for those who may be pursuing a degree in psychology.
Coaching can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with others while also helping them achieve their goals.
- Personal coaching
Personal coaching can help people with achieving personal goals, such as improving their relationships, mental health, or managing their time. Psychologists can be extremely beneficial personal coaches because they have a strong understanding of human behavior and motivation.
Coaching can be a great side hustle for the more outgoing psychologists that enjoy helping others achieve their goals.
Sales
If you’re interested in sales, there are many different options available to you. You could start your own business selling products or services related to psychology.
You could also become a sales representative for a psychology-related company, allowing you to sell their products or services. Or you could become a sales consultant, helping other psychology-related businesses with their sales strategies.
Psychologists can even work in the marketing field as they understand consumer behavior, and what motivates people to make a purchase.
Sales can be a great side hustle for psychologists who are interested in entrepreneurship or helping other businesses grow.
There are many different ways for psychologists to make extra income. These include starting an online counseling practice, leading therapy groups, teaching courses, or becoming a consultant. Whichever option you choose, be sure to do your research so that you can find the best fit for you and your skills.
Remember, you don’t have to quit your day job to make extra money as a psychologist. There are many different ways to make money on the side that can easily fit into your schedule. So if you’re looking for some extra cash, consider one of these options.
How to choose the perfect side hustle for you
Now that you know some of the different ways psychologists can make extra money, it’s time to choose the perfect side hustle for you. Consider your interests, skills, and goals to find the best fit for you.
For instance, If you’re interested in helping others with their mental health, consider coaching or becoming a consultant. If you’re interested in sales, consider starting your own business or becoming a sales representative.
And if you’re just looking for some extra cash, online counseling or teaching courses could be the perfect option for you.
Before you get started, it’s wise to ask yourself the following questions:
- What are my goals?
Once you identify your goals, you can better match them to a side hustle. For instance, if your goal is to make extra money, you might want to consider online counseling or teaching courses. However, if your goal is to find a flexible side hustle that you can do in your free time, coaching or writing might be a better option for you.
- What are my skills?
Your skills will play a big role in determining which side hustle is the best fit for you. Consider your strengths and weaknesses to find the perfect match. For instance, if you’re good at sales, starting your own business or becoming a sales representative could be a great option for you. However, if you’re more interested in instructing, online counseling or teaching courses might be a better match.
- What are my interests?
Your interests will also help you narrow down your options. Consider what you enjoy doing in your free time and see if there’s a way to turn it into a side hustle. For instance, if you like writing, becoming a freelance writer could be a great way to make extra money.
- What are my time constraints?
When choosing a side hustle, it’s important to consider your time constraints. If you have a full-time job, you might want to consider a side hustle that you can do in your free time, such as online counseling or coaching. However, if you’re looking for a more flexible option, starting your own business or becoming a consultant could be a better fit.
Keep these questions in mind as you browse through the different options to find the perfect side hustle for you. No matter what side hustle you choose, be sure to do your research so that you can find the best fit for you. And if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, remember that there are many different ways for psychologists to make extra money. So take your time and explore all of your options before making a final decision.
The Bottom Line – Which are the best side hustles for psychologists?
Psychologists can make extra money in many different ways, including starting their own businesses, becoming a consultant, or teaching courses. When choosing a side hustle, it’s important to consider your goals, skills, and interests. And if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, remember that there are many different ways for psychologists to make extra money. So take your time and explore all of your options before making a final decision.
