Will these trends stay or go away in the post-pandemic era?
Key Takeaways
Along with COVID-19, theres also an epidemic of loneliness.
Although loneliness isnt new, it seems to have grown in scale.
During the pandemic, some cuddlers have made their services more accessible by offering virtual sessions.
Have I drunk water?
Have I touched a human being in the last few days?
Sometimes, cuddle therapy is his way of fulfilling that need.
What Is Cuddle Therapy Exactly?
In a TikTok, she shared how a typical cuddle session would look like.
They can talk or stay in silence as long as it matches the clients need.
Along with physical comfort, Keeley tells Verywell, cuddling can offer social and emotional support.
“Empathetic listening and unconditional positive regard can be exceedingly therapeutic for some people, she says.
For Yosef, cuddle therapy serves as a bridge between talk therapy and regular touch with family and friends.
Having comforting touch while I process these emotions is really helpful, Yosef says.
I feel like cuddle therapy filled a gap in my healing that conventional therapy or cuddly friends couldnt.
How Does Cuddle Therapy Use Touch as a Treatment?
Is interpersonal touch beneficial when it comes from a stranger?
How do professional cuddlers stay safe and respect the boundaries of their clients?
Keeley says cuddle therapists always take the time to get to know their clients.
Before meeting in person, shed set up a 30-minute consultation session via Zoom to assess compatibility.
Keeleys company also has safety recommendations and resources in place for worst-case scenarios.
Cuddlers are also trained to notice red flags during the consultation sessions.
What This Means For You
Websites likeCuddlistandCuddle Sanctuaryoffer tools to find trained cuddlers near you.
Prices range from $60$300 per hour, while virtual sessions are usually cheaper.
How Did Cuddlers Move Online During the Pandemic?
During the pandemic, it wasnt easy to translate cuddle therapy to an online setting.
It takes creativity and ingenuity, Keeley says.
But we can trick our bodies into producing oxytocin even through a virtual setting.
Although she started offering in-person sessions again, she has kept her virtual appointments for remote clients.
Will Cuddle Therapy Go Mainstream?
Massage therapists also touch people, and they have in-home practices frequently, she says.
Cuddle therapy may also be stigmatized because people can sometimes conflate it with sex work, Keeley adds.
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