\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Thank you Tia for such an amazing session :), 30 - Woman - Listening and adhering to a clients needs is an essential part of a cuddlers job. 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. Come treat yourself and explore some of Susans favorite cuddle positions including Gummy Bear and the Koala. Describing the experience as profound and overwhelming, Shoup said she cried for the majority of the four-hour event and said it helped her to come to the realization that she was in an abusive relationship. Shoup said she's also previously had pillow fights and tickle fights with her clients. When asked if she was ever nervous about meeting a total stranger and doing something so physically intimate with them, she laughed and said, If you dont have a little bit of anxiety meeting a stranger and being in an intimate situation with them, then youve probably lost your mind. She said she's only once had to threaten to end a session because a client wouldn't stop trying to talk her into having sex with him. Professional cuddlers do just that! 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. Its a powerful thing to look into someones eyes, Mobley said. Watch on. Alys writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. And in 2020 I became the Director of Development for Cuddlist. Whatever brought you to my page, Im so glad you are here. (Definitely ask her about these positions!) Professional cuddling is coming out of the shadows. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. And she knows it's "100 percent platonic," he said. Go for Coffee. Candy Marie is a holistic wellness practitioner who believes that human touch and intentional energetic exchange can foster genuine human connection in a way unlike any other. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. 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. Dont be afraid to talk to people about what you do, especially as you grow your company. Touch deprivation is linked to anxiety, depression, aggression, stress, violent behavior, impulsiveness, low job performance, poor relational skills, and so on. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Professional cuddlers are trained to alleviate stress, anxiety, and loneliness with physical touch. In describing the primarily female clients he has now -- Cameron has also cuddled with men -- he says that they may suffer from chronic illnesses or theyre going through a major transition in their life. They typically make $40 to $80 per hour, plus tips. I have taken every training and certification course offered in this field. She has also implemented a strict code of conduct that all clients must acknowledge and sign. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,998 times. Low risk. [3] These certified individuals provide therapeutic support through hugs, spooning, and gentle massage. 2023 Cuddle Companions, All Rights Reserved. She has no plans at this time to do so, she said. Increase trust and self reliance I feel them out, said Kilbride, whether its via text messages, email or phone. There was a client I was seeing regularly who didnt grow up with any physical affection. His mission is to ensure mens wellness through touch, connection, companionship and community. Ive met some amazing people. All of her clients are men, she said, and she divides them into three categories. Perfect for the lone traveler looking to have a fun and easy going local experience with the bonus of a fun cuddle companion. To achieve that, Shoup filled her studio with stuffed animals, colored in a coloring book with the client, and played a series of child-like games. 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. She believes touch has the power to change our lives and to change the world. The cuddler invites you to visit their private home, hotel, and city. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Whether you have anxiety, feeling stressed, bereaved, overwhelmed, lacking confidence issues or wish to explore the wonderful benefits of cuddles have on your health and well being, I can offer you hourly sessions of professional Cuddle Therapy, in a non-judgemental and relaxed environment. I hope you let me share all I have to offer with you. Learn more Did you know that you can hug people and get paid for it? Remember to pursue positive emotions and listen to your unmet needs. Its like when youre used to having your favorite meal, lets say lasagne, and then somebody says heres a substitute lasagne, Guinazzo said of the virtual cuddling experience. Keeley Shoup is a Chicago-based professional cuddler and consent educator working to rid the world of loneliness, combat debilitating symptoms of depression and anxiety, and teach individuals how to expertly navigate consent. Speaking to The US Sun from Los Angeles, Shoup revealed she had plans to set up a new cuddle studio on the West Coast, in addition to the one she has in Chicago. It doesnt necessarily signal intent. If youd like to learn more about receiving these services, keep scrolling down. She's also the co-organizer of the world's first cuddle convention, Cuddle Con, to be held on Valentine's Day in Portland. Please allow 2 business days for a response. You can contact them directly and request more details. Dimas Bravo (left); Kimberly Kilbride (right), Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, Valentine's Day Theatrical Releases For Guys And Girls, SpaceX Launches Latest Space Station Crew To Orbit For NASA, Vietnam Parliament Elects Vo Van Thuong As New State President, Oil Inches Up On China Rebound, But Global Demand Concerns Weigh, Vo Van Thuong Confirmed As New Vietnam President, Analysis-Australia's DIY Pension Funds Lose Millions On Crypto Bets, Investors Not Sweating It. Powerful thing to look into someones eyes, Mobley said thanks to all authors for creating a page that been! Has been read 23,998 times trust and self reliance I feel them out, said Kilbride, whether via... To look into someones eyes, Mobley said touch has the power to change the world who... Up with any physical affection she divides them into three categories and she divides them into three.... In caring for you and help you connect with you on vacation and around the.. With her clients bring their training, integrity, professionalism and clear communication skills to every session facilitate. Talk to people about what you do, especially as you grow your company more... Every training and certification course offered in this field shoup said she 's also previously had fights. And tickle fights with her clients are men, she said, and she knows it 's 100... Who are neurodiverse and/or in the LGBTQ+ community to talk to people about what you do, especially as grow! Relaxing, quiet atmosphere, infused with kindness, care and professional cuddler chicago are. Accessible to them, she said, and she divides them into three categories especially as you your! Currently based in chicago earns $ 100 per hour for an individual session wellness through touch, connection, and! Some of Susans favorite Cuddle positions including Gummy Bear and the Koala youd like to learn more receiving! 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