The role of a therapist is a demanding one, requiring empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of human behavior. While showing appreciation for a counselor’s dedication is always a thoughtful gesture, finding the perfect gift can be a challenge.
This post provides ideas for gifts for therapists and is the third installment of a series I publish annually. (For additional gift ideas from previous years, see 50 Unique Gift Ideas for Therapists in 2022 and 50 Unique Gift Ideas for Therapists.)
The gifts for therapists featured in this post are inspired by items that I, as a counselor, find useful and meaningful, along with unique products that address the needs and wishes I see in other mental health workers.
Similar to last year, many of the products featured here can be purchased on Amazon. What’s new and different this year is that I’ve discovered Temu (thank you, TikTok!), an online marketplace that sells “affordable, quality products from millions of sellers, manufacturers, and brands around the world.”
While Temu products are generally cheaper than goods from Amazon, the quality factor is hit-or-miss. The Temu gifts for therapists listed in this post meet my standards for quality, but it’s important to note there’s no guarantee they’ll come from the same manufacturer.
Also, I’ve included unique gifts that can only be found on Uncommon Goods, an independently-owned business that sells one-of-a-kind goods from artists all over the world. I support the company’s “force for good” business model; Uncommon Goods is environmentally conscientious, gives back to the community, and prioritizes employee wellbeing.
Here is the highly anticipated 2023 list of 50 fun and unique gifts for therapists and other mental health professionals:
50 Unique Gifts for Therapists in 2023
Jump to a section:
- Gifts for Therapists Under $10
- Books & Educational Gifts for Therapists
- Novelty Gifts for Therapists
- Therapy Tools & Games
- Office Accessories & Decor
- Self-Care Gifts for Therapists
Disclaimer: The Amazon and Temu links below are affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Gifts for Therapists Under $10
1. Cleaning Gel
This cleaning gel is an essential tool for any therapist, providing a quick and easy way to maintain a clean and hygienic workspace. Its unique formula effectively removes dust, crumbs, and other debris from keyboards, ensuring that they remain functional for typing up notes and reports.
2. Coffee Mug Warmer
If you’re anything like me, you know the struggle of reaching for your coffee only to find it lukewarm. This beverage warming device is the solution to microwaving the same cup of coffee again and again. With this mug warmer, your beverage stays at the perfect temperature, making it a great gift for the coffee- or tea-loving counselor in your life.
3. Coping Skills Makeup Bag
This adorable and colorful coping skills makeup bag doubles as a pencil case, making it a pretty and practical accessory for counselors.
4. Feelings Wheel Pin
This compact color-coded feelings wheel displays a spectrum of emotions and is equipped with a tiny spinning arrow. The six main categories of feelings – Calm, Strong, Happy, Mad, Sad, and Fear – are further divided into subcategories for identifying more precise emotions. The interactive wheel can be pinned to a bulletin board and used as a visual tool to help clients identify, verbalize, and explore their feelings in therapy sessions.
5. ‘I’ll Be There for You’ Sticky Notes
This is the one where the Friends-fan counselor gets an awesome Friends-themed gift!
6. Little Box of Badass: Embrace Your Awesomeness with Style
In her refreshingly blunt You Are a Badass®, Jen Sincero served up candid and inspiring stories, sage advice, and the occasional swear word, all with the goal of helping readers reverse self-sabotaging behaviors and create a life of love. This little kit is perfect for the badass counselor in your life (as well as a fun tool for their clients!)
7. Phrenology Cat: Read Your Cat’s Mind!
Do you know a cat-loving counselor who needs this?
8. Phrenology Dog: Read Your Dog’s Mind!
No? What about a dog-loving therapist?
9. Therapist Key Chain
Not only is this keyring the thriftiest of featured gifts for therapists, it’s a charming and thoughtful token that serves as a tangible expression of appreciation, making it an ideal gift for any therapist or guidance counselor. Its meaningful message will remind them of the significance of their work and the positive impact they have on the lives of others.
Books & Educational Gifts for Therapists
10. The Adult Psychotherapy Progress Notes Planner
“Documentation dread” is real, and it’s something we as therapists can all relate to. This fantastic planner helps ease that dread by enabling practitioners to quickly and easily create progress notes. (And the less time we spend documenting, the more time we have for what really matters – our clients!)
11. DSM-5-TR Overview: A QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide
This handy DSM-5-TR reference guide is a top seller on Amazon for its practicality and usefulness. It serves as an invaluable tool for mental health professionals, providing quick access to diagnostic criteria and essential information for accurate and informed assessment. This convenient guide is a must-have for any therapist.
12. The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
What makes a life fulfilling and meaningful? The simple but surprising answer is: relationships. The invaluable insights in this book emerge from the revealing personal stories of hundreds of participants in a Harvard research study as they were followed year after year for their entire adult lives, and this wisdom was bolstered by research findings from many other studies.
13. NCMHCE Exam Prep 2024-2025: NCMHCE Study Material & Practice Questions for the National Mental Health Counseling Exam
These flash cards were developed by Test Prep Books for test takers trying to achieve a passing score on the NCMHCE exam. This is another practical and useful gift for the recently graduated counselor who is studying for the NCMHCE.
14. Seven & a Half Lessons About the Brain
Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett demystify that big gray blob between your ears. In seven short essays (plus a bite-size story about how brains evolved), this slim, entertaining, and accessible collection reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research.
Novelty Gifts for Therapists
15. ‘But Did You Document It?’ Wooden block Sign
This fun gift attests to “documentation dread” (refer to #10). The rustic wooden block is made from high-quality materials and will look great as a shelf-piece in any office.
16. ‘The Doctor Is In’ Pin
This playful Peanuts ‘Psychiatric Help’ brooch is cute and cheap!
17. F-Bomb Paperweight
Did you know that swearing is good for your mental wellbeing? This paperweight is the perfect gift for the therapist who loves to swear.
18. Freudian Sips Coffee Mug
This clever mug features Freud (i.e., the “Father of Psychology”) sipping from a cup with a speech bubble reading, “When you say one thing but mean your mother.” The mug comes in a colorful box perfect for gift-giving.
19. Fun Face Stress Ball
Not only does this squishy face stress ball relieve stress, it’s scented too!
20. Mini Himalayan Mood Lamp
This 2-1/4-inch Himalayan mood lamp rotates through a full spectrum of colors, each associated with a different mood or emotion to create feelings of tranquility and peace in any working or living space.
21. NIRMAN Handmade Wooden Nose Shaped Eyeglass Holder with Mustache
This whimsical spectacle holder is highly rated on Amazon for its charm and quirky design. Handcrafted with durable, lightweight materials, it’s the perfect desk accessory for any therapist who wears glasses; their spectacles will always be within reach, the frustration of misplacing them eliminated.
22. Party Freud: A Comical Group Therapy Game
Sigmund Freud once said, “Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.” What about being honest with everyone else? In this lighthearted game of analysis, players score points by giving the best responses and advice.
23. Pavlov’s Cat T-Shirt
Unlike Pavlov’s dog, Pavlov’s cat is no drooling fool for a bell. He awaits the sound of the can opener! This is the perfect gift for the cat-loving counselor in your life.
24. Mini Zen Garden Litter Box
And here’s yet another cat-themed gift…
25. Work-from-Home Survival Kit
The Work-from-Home Survival Kit is a fun and clever gift is for the private practice counselor who works remotely. Of the nine items included, a few are functional (ear plugs, webcam cover), others are just-for-fun (conference call bingo card, decision coin: pajamas or pants?), and the rest are in-between (fidget cube, desk yoga guide).
Therapy Tools & Games
26. The Anxiety Thumball: The Fun Group Activity for Learning to Cope with Anxiety & Worry
This fun Thumball helps players learn coping skills for anxiety while increasing social skills and having fun. It’s great for individual or group counseling with groups of all sizes.
27. Conversation Tic-Tac-Toe Set
These conversations blocks are sure to be excellent conversation starters. They’re also useful social skills and emotional learning tools, as well as icebreaker tools for therapists and counselors.
Click here for icebreaker question cards, a free alternative that you can print and cut yourself.
28. The Grief Companion Deck
There are innumerable ways to love – and to grieve – when we’ve lost someone we love. This thoughtfully curated deck recognizes that “one-size-fits-all” doesn’t work for the grieving process. The cards are grouped into three categories: Action, Insight, and Prompt, and are a useful tool for therapists supporting clients with grief and loss.
29. Life Sutra Couple Reconnect Cards
The Life Sutra Couple Reconnect card deck was designed by Dr. Tania Sharma to enhance relationships by promoting deeper conversations. These cards are the perfect gift for the couples counselor in your life!
30. Mindfulness Dice
This set of six color-coded blocks contains 36 practices and thousands of possible combinations. Therapists can use these handy dice to help their clients discover calming meditations, positive mantras, soothing movements, controlled breathwork, mind-boosting journaling, and wellness goals… or as a part of their own self-care plan!
31. Mindful Talk Card Deck
The Mindful Talk question cards promote authentic conversations with children; they’re a great tool for school counselors and family therapists.
32. Overcome Expanded: Addiction Recovery Questions
These cards are designed to help lead conversations about feelings, behaviors, triggers, and ways to control addictive impulses. Addiction counselors can use the cards in group or individual counseling sessions.
For a free alternative, click here for a DIY deck that you can print and cut yourself.
33. YEHUA! Totika Self-Esteem Cards & Totika Cube
The Totika Therapy Game Self-Esteem Question Deck contains 150+ open-ended questions regarding self-confidence, motivation, role models, setting goals, and overcoming life challenges. It’s appropriate for kids, teens, and adults, and is the perfect gift for any therapist.
Office Accessories & Decor
34. CBT ‘Challenging Negative Thoughts’ Canvas Art
CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) involves challenging irrational thoughts and replacing them with more realistic (and positive) beliefs. Socratic questioning is one technique that therapists use to encourage this process. This bold canvas is the perfect gift for any CBT practitioner.
35. Everlasting Stained-Glass Succulents
These beautiful handmade succulents are the perfect gift for the committed therapist who tirelessly attends to their clients’ needs… and in doing so, forgets that their plants need care too!
36. Grounding Metal Tin Sign
Grounding techniques help with distressing thoughts by bringing one’s focus to the present moment. This attractive sign depicts the 5-4-3-2-1 method, a grounding technique that’s both simple and effective.
37. LED Grow Light
Fun fact: My very first office was no bigger than a walk-in closet and, like most closets, had no windows. If you know a counselor whose office is similarly lacking in natural light, consider gifting them this handy LED lamp that mimics sunlight. (Their plants will thank you.)
38. Living Art Succulent DIY Kit
The Living Art Succulent DIY Kit will bring living beauty to any office or workspace. The succulents create an easy-to-care-for work of art.
39. Meditative Sand Wonderscape
With its intricate detail, this handmade wonderscape beckons clients to create mesmerizing patterns in the sand. The sculpture-like balls, with their weighted stability and textured surfaces, provide a soothing massage to the palm and fingertips. This captivating office accessory not only enhances the decor but also serves as a therapeutic tool for grounding and calm.
40. ‘Note to Self’ Door Sign
This colorful set of mental health affirmations can be hung on the door or wall, inspiring positivity and self-compassion.
41. ‘What Would You Attempt’ Paperweight
This thought-provoking pewter paperweight boldly and simply poses the question, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” It’s a powerful reminder of the possibilities that lie within each of us, and a fitting addition to any therapist’s office. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as a conversation starter, encouraging clients to explore their deepest aspirations and dreams.
42. ‘What You Say In Here’ Metal Tin Sign
This little tin sign helps to create a safe space while serving as a reminder of the limits of confidentiality. It’s a great gift for school counselors and family therapists.
Self-Care Gifts for Therapists
43. Acupressure Neck Relief Cushion
Self-care is one of the first things counseling students are taught in grad school; in order to care for others, we must first take care of ourselves. Stress management is an important aspect of self-care; this acupressure cushion targets points in the head and neck to release stress-induced tension.
44. Calm Essential Oil Roll-On Blend
Aromatherapy is another great way to relieve stress. This easy-to-use roll-on blend can be applied anywhere at any time to instantly promote feelings of relaxation and calm.
45. Cuddly Stuffed Highland Cow
Who doesn’t need this?
46. Desk Yoga Card Deck
Yoga is an amazing self-care tool; it enhances both physical and mental wellbeing. With this nifty card deck, the busy therapist can engage in 52 simple practices during the workday, all conveniently from their desk.
47. Eucalyptus Headache & Sinus Pillow
This soothing pillow is filled with a natural blend of eucalyptus, mint, and flax seeds, and features an organic cotton leaf design on the front and pure silk on the back.
48. Foot Spa-in-a-Box Gift Set
Each foot spa set includes a detoxifying charcoal foot scrub, soothing moisturizer, rubber foot massage ball, and medical-grade gel toe separators. This pampering gift is perfect for counselors or anyone with weary feet!
49. Mental Health Embroidery Kit
After being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in 2017, Emily June turned to embroidery to keep her hands busy and mind occupied, and found “the therapeutic joy of stitching.” This kit is a creative and meaningful gift for the crafty counselor in your life.
50. Self-Care Truth-or-Dare
This novel approach to self-care offers 100 truths – or dares – on 50 sticks. Each stick has a thought-provoking question on one side and a challenging but achievable dare on the other. Gift your favorite counselor this fresh perspective on self-care, encouraging them to embark on a journey of personal discovery and growth.
Do you have ideas for gifts for therapists? Share in a comment below!
