Online gestalt therapy sessions

Individual adults paying for their own sessions, including people in regional areas with few local therapists.

A fee per session, often slightly below or equal to in-person rates, with regular weekly or fortnightly clients.

• Completed gestalt or counselling training
• Building rapport through a screen
• Comfortable with video and booking software
• Keeping clear professional boundaries

• Counselling is largely self-regulated, so check which qualifications and association membership are expected
• Do not use the title psychologist unless registered
• Check your insurer covers online sessions and clients in other states
• Have a plan for clients in crisis, including their local emergency contacts
• Council approval may be needed for a home-based business, check with your local council
• Use a platform with strong privacy and data security, and check your obligations for client records

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $3,500, depending on your booking and video software, insurance and how you set up a private room at home. Working online keeps overheads low.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many clients you see, your session fees and how quickly you build a caseload. Online sessions can reach clients in regional areas.

Counselling is largely self-regulated, so check which qualifications and association membership are expected. Don't use the title psychologist unless registered. Check your insurer covers online sessions and clients in other states, and your privacy duties.