\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Meet Keeley Shoup, a professional cuddler located in Chicago. In Connection Sessions, they listen intently and ask questions that demonstrate genuine interest, guiding you to connect with others meaningfully. This listing of professional cuddlers is provided as a service to the public, and lists individuals who are certified with Cuddle Sanctuary. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. Theres a better way. "Cuddle therapists are professionals that give access to platonic touch through boundaries of consent education for the purposes of comfort, validation, and alleviating loneliness," Shoup, the Director of Development at Cuddlist, explained to The US Sun. I am gifted at holding space for people during their emotional processes and providing comfort through touch. A 'professional cuddler', who has clients queueing up to pay 75 for an hour-long hug, has opened up about the benefits of cuddle therapy. In the almost eight years since Shoup became a professional cuddler, she says she's watched as the profession and the services it offers have crept increasingly into the mainstream. 2023 Cuddle Companions, All Rights Reserved. When Jean Franzblau, the founder of Cuddle Sanctuary in Los Angeles, first heard of a contagious virus spreading across the globe in March, she set stringent policies for all participants: wash your hands the moment you arrive to a cuddle; dont come if you feel ill; if a client appears sick or is coughing, a cuddle session leader may send them home. "I'm not qualified to diagnose [clients'] problems. It healed and changed my relationship with my entire family. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Usually, in a one-on-one cuddle session which ranges from $80 to $100 an hour and is held in a private room either in the clients home or the cuddlers workspace the client and cuddler first go over current stressors and then engage in an open dialogue about where the client wants to be touched. The brave new world of professional cuddling is largely unregulated, or at least haphazardly self-regulated, with few real safety standards in place. Outdoor options are also available.). Rita is a loving, warm-hearted soul with a multicultural background. Asking a stranger to stroke your hair or caress your back requires vulnerability and in the process, cuddlers and clients build a verbal and physical rapport. Our society is suffering from chronic social isolation and touch deprivation and, to make matters worse, we have also sexualized touch. This person tends to want only to talk. In addition to being a certified cuddle therapist, she is a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, mindfulness coach, reiki practitioner and performing artist. Jay firmly believes that the world would be a much better place with more platonic and caring touch and wants to work towards shattering the stigma that touch can only be sexual or romantic in nature. Yes, you can cry if you need to! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. In an AMA ("Ask Me Anything") forum on Reddit in 2014, a former Snuggle Buddies cuddler laid bare what really happens in the unregulated space of a cuddle session. Its been a while since I talked to her. Mela is a nurturer and is dedicated to the art of truly connecting with her fellow human beings. My broader ambition for the professional cuddling industry is to foster an interdisciplinary community of practitioners, to increase the standard of quality represented within the modality, and to improve accessibility to resources for practitioners. And then we were closed, said Franzblau, who wont reopen until a vaccine is made widely available. She speaks both French and English. If you want to feel less alone, anxious or sad, If you want to feel more connection, joy, and fulfillment, If you need/want more touch in your life, but it doesn't feel safe. Professional cuddlers are trained to alleviate stress, anxiety, and loneliness with physical touch. One question we often get is, What if I get aroused? Arousal is a natural response and nothing to be ashamed of. It's about time. Now, there are dozens of independent professional cuddling organizations, like Portlands Cuddle Up To Me, and larger networks of professionals like Cuddlist, who have trained hundreds of touch facilitators nationwide. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. She has been helping those who have suffered from trauma and abuse - for around seven years, reported Ladbible. Build self esteem She discussed how she smoked pot with her clients; would reprimand them -- but not end the session -- when they tried to put their hands down her pants; and that she even engaged in light "fetish" behavior, including "age play" and letting them touch her stockings. Research has shown that without physical touch, were likely to experience loneliness, depression, anxiety disorders and stress. Listening and adhering to a clients needs is an essential part of a cuddlers job. All Rights Reserved. We recommended a 60-minute session for your very first time. Please allow 2 business days for a response. Instead, he was instructed by Franzblau to recall a pleasant cuddling experience from the past and to lie in a manner that simulated an embrace. No, she doesn't just lounge around in a cuddle puddle all day. Take your time to ask questions, and communicate what youre looking for in a cuddling session. Franzblau and some of Cuddle Sanctuary's professional cuddlers - those who have. Unless someone is an out-and-out rapist, she said, if you say stop, men will stop.. It's fascinating that this sense of safety and closeness can happen so quickly. Theres the curious person who has an extra $80, she said, referring to the cost of a one-hour cuddling session, of which she keeps half. Professional Cuddler in Chicago, Illinois, US | CuddleTiara CuddleTiara Professional 30 - Woman - Chicago, Illinois, US Fee: 110/hour - Can be: Host, Guest, Public Request to Book Save to Favorites About Friends (1) Karma (1) About me I'm a fun and bubbly person who loves conversation but I can also value time spent in comfortable silence. Cuddle Therapy & Massage Therapy While Massage Buddy is all about professional massage therapy, some massage therapists will also offer touch therapy with a professional cuddle buddy. Movies & Chill. 2022 by Keeley Shoup Proudly created with Wix.com, Cuddle Therapy Consent & Boundaries Educator, Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a, 2022 by Keeley Shoup Proudly created with. Her life path, across continents, cultures, friendships, and world experiences, has made her a solid, nonjudgmental, beautiful spirit. Would you like to connect with someone in a simple and sincere way, without complications? Jean Franzblau, LLC DBA Cuddle Sanctuary does not warrant or otherwise assume responsibility for the services provided by these practitioners, or his/her/their competency to provide such services; and may not be held liable for any claim resulting from the use of this listing, or for the activities of any individuals who are trained or certified by Cuddle Sanctuary or students or graduates in our trainings. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Madlines consent-centered approach empowers people to get to know and express their boundaries. You can see her on video here. "It's a need - a healthy need - and it's a healthy way to get this need met. . Sadly, manypeople in our society come fromcommunities where they werenever,or rarely, touched by their parents, family members, or friends or only experience touch through sex. Is it a form of sex work, massage therapy, talk therapy or all of the above? This is the ideal, anyway. Are you naturally drawn to seeing the best in others and enjoy helping them see it too? Irrespective of who we are or where we come from, we all feel the need to be cared for, looked at, acknowledged, and by extension, be touched, because it is all-encompassing. , Availability: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. After self-quarantining alone for over a month in New York City, actor and writer Randy Wade Kelley noticed he, like many others, craved human connection. First you sign an agreement about the services. Did the pandemic hit you hard? In 2008, I had been struggling with anxiety and depression. The cuddler would like to travel to your private home, hotel, city, and maybe even your beautiful country. Then youll have a short phone or video call with your professional cuddler. In addition to touch, emotional awareness is integral to the practice of therapeutic cuddling. Dont be afraid to talk to people about what you do, especially as you grow your company. Initially, Franzblau was staunchly against the notion of a virtual cuddle. "In those calls, we have a really frank conversation about it, where we lay out the rules and a client can then decide whether or not this is what they want," Shoup said. View Every Professional Cuddler from Cuddlist! While representatives of Cuddle Sanctuary may make a recommendation of a practitioner, the individual using this listing assumes sole responsibility for determining whether a practitioner is appropriate for their needs. Availability: Everyday except Tuesday and Saturday. They may get 5 to 15 hours of work a month, Evan Carp, the business' 27-year-old founder, said. Some are sexual- and physical-abuse survivors, Hess said, referred to her by local counselors. Course length varies depending on the company youre training with. Cuddlist is offering VIRTUAL SESSIONS during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. Professional Cuddling Services in the United States and Abroad, Professional cuddlers are amazing human beings who bring warmth and caring to every session. Although he's the Snuggle Buddies' only New York-based male cuddler, there is not a lot of demand for male snugglers. Jasmines certifications include Cuddle Sanctuary, Cuddlist, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, Advanced Training for Trauma Treatment of C-PTSD, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and ASL. You can chat online with our cuddlers before booking. And many other fun activities! Come melt into a warm embrace, and allow yourself to be cared for. My interest in cuddling includes holding healing space for people in a comfortable environment. Tonya OBryan is a kind-spirited and compassionate woman that has been creating brave healing spaces for over 20 years. Or if they suggest we do something more, I'll remind them that prostitution is illegal in New York City, so that I'm not in the position to say, 'I don't want to f--- you.'" Professional cuddlers hired by the business charge as much as $80 an hour, and sessions can last 90 minutes to three hours on average. For folks new to the service, you can expect a getting-to-know-you process. Tonya has years of experience working with individuals and facilitating groups, and is especially in tune with those healing from sexual trauma and grief. Simply chat, select a service or make an offer, then book and you're ready to meet your new cuddle companion . Cuddles can also help to decrease blood pressure, boost the immune system, and decrease levels of cortisol in the human body, which is otherwise known as the stress hormone. I feel them out, said Kilbride, whether its via text messages, email or phone. Hess claims that although she made recommendations to Carp on safety and training when she mentored him at present, the only training provided is the illustrated book The Cuddle Sutra -- he has disregarded them. Cuddle Sanctuary does not offer psychotherapy. Pleasure-focused, Tonyas practice centers the needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Book a Pro She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and professional writing. Within Shoup's code of conduct, there's also still a broad spectrum of other requests customers can make to meet their individual wants and needs. Jasmine Siemon is the founder ofTang Wellness. She continued: "When I look at the harshest elements of American culture, I think a lot of it comes down to a lack of understanding concepts and nuance with empathy. Professional cuddlers do just that! . Here are, Heres Cuddle Sanctuary professional cuddling in action on Buzzfeed & more, Keeley has been a professional cuddler since 2015. Yup, that's right: Roxanne is part of an agency dedicated to cuddling. What hes providing is unsafe to the cuddler and not beneficial to the client, she said, expressing particular shock over hearing that Carp sent workers to hotels on overnight sessions lasting up to 8 hours with clients. And her bubbly and endearing personality shone through even on the phone. You can find out more at, Trevor James is an event producer and director and lifestyle maven turned, Grace is compassionate, empathetic and an ideal cuddler for those experiencing loneliness, disconnection, or the need for human touch. A woman who charges strangers $280 for an hour of hugs has revealed what it's really like to be a professional cuddler. He was in his forties.. However, after consulting with Cuddle Sanctuary professional cuddlers, the group created a format they believed could leave clients feeling good, albeit only with emotional buy-in from both parties. If you are looking for a place to completely relax, let go, soak in some love, and explore how blissfully healing touch can be, youve found it. Your professional cuddler will be direct and honest with you about what they have to offer you with their cuddle therapy. In the weeks since the virtual cuddle, hes returned to the side-lounge position as a way of self-placating when he feels lonely. She holds a safe space for all who would like to connect with her. According to Shoup, hugs increase the production of the love hormone oxytocin, which is known to help keep feelings of loneliness at bay. Some courses last 3 days, while others last a month or require at least 30 hours of participation. The company is called Cuddlist, and it. People were warm and welcoming. Kilbride's boss, Evan Carp, started The Snuggle Buddies in 2013. Professional cuddle organizations like Cuddle Sanctuary aim to provide clients with a sense of calm and bliss, thanks in part to the anxiety-reducing hormone oxytocin which is released in response to positive, social touch, like a hug from a friend or a nuzzle from a dog. Inbound Cost: $80 per hour. And how do professional cuddlers, predominantly women, who spoon with, hold hands with and cuddle with their clients all while clothed -- keep their clients, predominantly men, from being inappropriate, pressuring them for sex, or even raping them? Browse through our Cuddlists and find the perfect professional cuddler for you and your needs. Write a waiver even if you work with a bigger company. A female snuggler, depending on her demand, can get anywhere from 5 to 40 hours a week. Each professional cuddler is just as unique as our clients. In a session with Susan, you will receive nurturing, intuitive guidance, and the freedom to relax and luxuriate in self-care. Social distancing nixed a calming practice based on physical touch, forcing practitioners and clients to find a virtual option.