What are the benefits of Cuddle Therapy?
The science of touch for wellbeing
Better Help discusses Cuddle Therapy in the UK.
This piece on Touch in Therapy written by Dr. Zur of the Zur Institute for more on the therapeutic context of Touch.
See this piece in Psychology Today by Dr. Leslie Korn about the benefits of Somatic Touch Therapy for mental health and trauma recovery.
What happens during a Cuddle Therapy session?
Every session is held with the upmost care and attention, is client-centred, and unique to your personal needs and desires on that day.
Each session begins by taking some moments to arrive together and settle in the space. We discuss the rules and expectations for the session, including consent and communication tools. After that, we follow your pace and interests.
Some possible activities include:​
Sharing Space
Holding Space
Cuddling in various postions
Simple massage
Role play, Scenarios
Eye Gazing
Gentle Converstation
Holding and being held
Co-created movement
Games
Sitting next to each other
Hugging
Gentle touch, stroking
Dance
Much more....
How much does a session cost?
A 1 hour session is £75. 1.5 hours are £110. 2 hours are £140 and every additional half hour costs £30.
Who is it for?
All different kinds of people seek Cuddle Therapy for many reasons. Everybody has their own unique mix of needs, challenges, comfort level with touch.
Your Uniqueness is Welcome!
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I am delighted to work with all people without prejudice. This includes people of any ethnicity, cultural background, class, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, relationship structure, body type, physical ability, neurodiversity etc.
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Here are some examples of past clients:
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING LONELINESS
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Who want a certain type of touch and intimacy they don’t have access to in their personal lives
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Who are going through a life transition (ending a relationship, moving city, living in a foreign country, etc)
CAREGIVERS
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Who are constantly giving caring touch, and want to relax and receive it for a while instead
e.g. mothers, nurses, therapists
PEOPLE EXPLORING GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION
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who want to be welcomed and accepted in a particular identity in a safe environment
e.g. A closeted trans person or a man experimenting with women’s clothing
PEOPLE WITH BODY IMAGE ISSUES
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Who have negative self image about their body and personal image
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Who have been bullied, criticized or shamed about their body
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Who struggle psychologically with body-related issues
​PEOPLE WHO WANT PHYSICAL INTIMACY WITHOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF A RELATIONSHIP
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All genders and sexualities are welcome
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All relationship structures are welcome: people who are single, married, in partnership, in complicated dynamics, non-monogamous/poly, etc.
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The majority of past clients have been Straight women, Gay men (closeted or not) and Queer folk. No discrimanation !
PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
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Who do not receive enough personal attention or caring touch
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Who wish to share quality time and caring touch in a way that feels natural and easy
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Who want to feel seen and accepted as they are
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Who mainly receive only medicalized touch
NEURODIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS
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Who want to drop the mask and feel seen and accepted as they are
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Who need the safety and clarity of rules, boundaries and explicit communication
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Who want to learn, practice and enjoy the physical and social dynamics of touch and intimacy
PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM TRAUMA, ABUSE OR DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES
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Who want to learn, practice and enjoy the physical and social dynamics of touch and intimacy
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Who need to work with a trauma aware professional
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e.g. someone trying to redevelop comfort being touched and held by a male bodied person, someone wanting to feel safe opening up
RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
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Who do not get their touch needs met in their religious community
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Who feel alienated by their community’s views on touch and intimacy
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Those who feel a calling or alighned with this work, and curious to find out more
If these examples resonate with you, then