Online family counseling practice

Parents, couples and families paying out of pocket, clients using health insurance, and families referred or funded by nonprofits or community programs.

A fee per session, often 50 to 60 minutes. You can set a private-pay rate, accept insurance after joining insurer panels, or offer a few reduced-fee slots for referrals from local charities.

• Active listening and calm presence
• Working with several people in one session
• Careful record keeping and confidentiality
• Basic marketing and networking with referrers

• You generally need a state license to practice, check your state's licensing board for requirements and supervised hours
• Rules on seeing clients in a different state than where you sit vary, check the board and any interstate compact
• Professional liability (malpractice) insurance and HIPAA privacy rules
• Insurance panel credentialing can take months, so plan for slow early income
• Home office use may be affected by lease or HOA rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your technology and home office setup. Budget for professional liability (malpractice) insurance and for meeting HIPAA privacy rules.

You generally need a state license to practice, so check your state's licensing board for requirements and supervised hours. Rules on seeing clients in a different state than where you sit vary, so check the board and any interstate compact.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your caseload and whether clients pay out of pocket or use insurance. Insurance panel credentialing can take months, so plan for slow early income. Expect at least about 8 hours a week.