Like social workers, therapists usually see people during the worst times in their lives. It is only natural that they need some pampering and relaxation to get through the work day.
Some of the best gifts for therapists are those that will help them relax, destress, and just make their daily lives easier. You now have the opportunity to turn the tables and take care of their needs. While most therapists cannot accept gifts from clients due to their code of ethics, a small token of appreciation, especially at the end of your time together will usually be ok. The rest of these gifts are meant to be given by friends and family members of therapists.
1. Bath Tray
Best gifts for therapists
After a long day of carrying the weight of the world, therapists need to relax. A bath tray will give them a place to put a glass of wine, something to read, and anything else they need for a nice soak. Some of these even adjust so you can serve them breakfast in bed, making this a double gift!
Make sure to give them a bath pillow as well, so they don’t get a stiff neck from their head leaning on the edge of the tub.
Not everyone has a bathtub, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the same relaxing effects. Shower Steamers are bath bombs for the shower. The steam releases relaxing scents.
2. Tabletop Fountain
Best gifts for a therapist’s office
A therapist’s office needs to be a place with a calm vibe, not only for them, but for clients as well. The soothing sounds of water will help wash away the anxiety that comes from discussing those deepest fears.
A peaceful Zen garden for the desk will be a focal point for mindful meditation in between clients.
A white noise machine can reduce distracting noises outside the office. Plus, they provide privacy for the client by making it harder to hear what is said in the therapy room from the other side of the door.
3. Heartfelt Thank You Card
Thank you gift for a therapist
If you are wondering. “What gift should I get my therapist?,” the best answer is a thank you card. Most people don’t realize this, but most therapists are not allowed to accept gifts. However, a card with handwritten gratitude will be appreciated.
In some cases the rules can be bent a bit. If you are looking for a goodbye gift for your therapist, a thank you candle is a small token that can be used in the office, and most likely won’t raise any red flags.
Another acceptable goodbye gift for your therapist is something for their office such as mindfulness coloring books.
4. Yoga Mat
Fitness gifts for therapists
Therapists work out their brain all day long. It is important to balance mental with physical exercise. Yoga helps balance both the body and mind. It can be done anywhere. They can even sneak in some stretches at work if a client cancels.
With an under desk elliptical machine they can get some quick cardio in between clients.
If they don’t work in an office and meet clients at other locations, a fitness tracker can help them log how many steps they take each day.
5. Stress Balls on a String
Gift ideas for therapists
Stress balls are a great way to relieve tension, and a stress ball on a string won’t roll away. In addition to using these to relax between clients, an occupational or physical therapist can use these with patients to build strength and coordination.
Pop its also decrease tension. Remember how soothing popping those packing bubbles were as a kid? You can get smaller sizes on keychains so they always have one on hand.
Fidget spinners work to decrease stress, but mental health therapists can also use these to decrease client’s anxiety during a session.
6. Conversation Starters
Mental health therapist gifts
As a previous mental health therapist, it always amazes me when parents ask their children why they do certain behaviors. When asked direct questions, children almost always answer with what they think adults want to hear. These conversation starters focus on indirect, random topics that can help get the ball rolling with younger clients.
Activity workbooks can be useful instruments with teens and young adults because they help organize thoughts, goals, and ideas in a more tangible way.
A feelings journal can be used by therapists to give their clients for recording thoughts and feelings between sessions. They can then bring the journal to their sessions to process their thoughts and emotions.
You might want to take a look at gifts for other jobs too!
7. Electric Lunch Box
Useful gifts for therapists
When I worked in the school system, teachers would have to wait in the lunch line with the kids as the only way to get a hot lunch. The other option was wasting part of their lunch break to get takeout. With an electric lunch box they can save money by bringing healthier food from home and heating it in their car or office.
Another popular item is the bento box. These have organized compartments and make it easy to pack measurable portions for a well balanced, healthy meal.
A reusable water bottle with their name makes a useful personalized therapist gift. If they have water by their side, they are more likely to stay hydrated throughout their day.
8. Good Vibes Jar
Motivational gifts for therapists
Keep them motivated with a good vibes jar full of pre-printed inspirational thoughts. You can make it a personalized therapist gift by getting a jar that isn’t pre-filled, and writing your own inspirations tailored to the recipient.
Or you can get them an inspirational bracelet. This way, during a slump they can read the saying on their wrist to lift themselves back up.
You can also give them some motivational signs for their office. These will help inspire themselves and their clients.
9. Rocket Notebook
Technology gift ideas for therapists
Therapists need to take notes during sessions to formulate into formatted case notes later. A smart notebook lets them take numerous pages of notes which they can either upload or erase when they are done.
A portable charger will keep their electronics from running out of steam while working.
Whether they work from home or in an office, they can keep their coffee warm throughout the whole session with an electric coffee warmer to keep themselves charged.
10. Story Cubes
Gifts for therapists who work with speech
Story cubes can be used by speech therapists to help clients identify objects on the cubes, and then to tell a story.
Vocabulary flashcards are another therapeutic item for speech therapists. When my son went to speech the therapist used similar cards. My son had fun because he thought he was playing.
Speech therapists often have to lug all of their supplies to different classrooms or offices to work with clients. An organizational tote will help them find everything they need easily. Most have a section for a laptop. Some even have USB ports.
11. Electric Massager
Gifts for therapists who do physical rehabilitation
My mom recently had hip replacement surgery and has a physical therapist coming to her house several days each week. The other day she started to fall while doing her therapy. The therapist had to reach out to steady her. It made me realize that these therapists probably strain themselves or pull muscles while trying to maneuver patients. I’m sure they would appreciate an electric massager so they don’t need to seek out their own physical therapist!
A ligament chart can come in handy when trying to explain exercises and goals to patients.
Pens that look like bones will be a funny gift for therapists in this field.
12. Personalized Candy Jar
Gifts for counselors
I used to work at a rehabilitation center where counselors ran educational groups. They would often get a dry throat and mouth from talking so much. A personalized candy jar filled with hard candy can help get rid of that tickle.
A healthy snack gift basket can curb hunger when they have a gap in the schedule, therefore avoiding the vending machine.
Another acceptable gift of thanks would be an inspirational badge reel.
13. Dessert Gift Basket
Holiday gifts for therapists
A tasty dessert basket is a gift that can be shared with others in the office.
Another acceptable gift for your therapist is a sanitizer holder keychain. These come in decorative designs, making them a thoughtful token.
Flavored lip balms are also good gifts for your therapist to keep their lips from drying out from talking.
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