From the moment we met she was the most kindhearted and sweetest person I met through the whole cuddle session we had together! A WOMAN who charges up to $200 per hour to cuddle clients craving a human touch has lifted the lid on some of the strangest requests she's received since embracing the unusual career path seven years ago. Cuddle Comfort. I cant wait to meet you and hopefully be a part of an experience that makes your life better. And many other fun activities! Location: North Hollywood, CA and Chicago, IL. Being a two times immigrant, her preference is to work with immigrant women. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. Cuddlers love to help people heal, relieve loneliness, listen to your problems, share your hobbies, and provide a comforting and caring embrace to anyone who may need it. When Afsaneh became aware of that, she started to pay attention to her skin differently both physically and spiritually. Cuddlist is offering VIRTUAL SESSIONS during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. They typically make $40 to $80 per hour, plus tips. 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. I have thousands of session hours and have helped hundreds of clients get their touch needs met. See how Cuddlist works, our Code of Conduct, and Frequently Asked Questions. 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. Outbound Cost: Quotes upon request. "There isn't anything wrong with seeking out [sexual] services. Madline is thrilled to have found her calling in bringing comfort to people, and helping them feel loved, seen, understood and genuinely respected. She has been cuddling professionally since 2018, and is also a Certified Cuddle Event Leader. Professional cuddlers do just that! Are you able to establish boundaries in a positive and consistent way? Research has shown that without physical touch, we are likely to experience loneliness, depression, anxiety disorders and stress. Low risk. If they bring it up, I'll say, 'Is it time to think of something disgusting?' Professional Cuddling Services in the United States and Abroad, Professional cuddlers are amazing human beings who bring warmth and caring to every session. Like Kilbride, he wanted to supplement his bartending and catering income, and less than six months ago, he found a help wanted ad for a professional snuggler. Location: The Big Island, Hawaii and Los Angeles, CA. Their calm and nurturing demeanor will bring you to a space of relaxation and comfort through ethical platonic touch. She excels at putting people at ease, being genuine and present, and making others feel seen and appreciated. With the pandemic slowly coming to a close we ask that you communicate honestly with your cuddler about your health concerns and needs. Perfect for those seeking exciting adventures with a fun companion and friend to travel world wide. Initially, Franzblau was staunchly against the notion of a virtual cuddle. Others have asked to dance in public with her, or simply walk around a park holding hands. [3] These certified individuals provide therapeutic support through hugs, spooning, and gentle massage. 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. While enjoying the embrace of a stranger, Shoup said she learned what "someone respecting your boundaries looks and feels like what someone who cares about your consent looks and feels like.". Much like yoga,meditation, and mindfulness, professionaltherapeutictouch through cuddling is healing and transformative when it happens in a respectful and emotionally safe way. 432 likes. This laissez-faire policy leaves the decision-making up to the cuddler. 'I'm a professional cuddler - I make 1,500 a month hugging strangers in my bed' Kristiina Link, 30, from east London is a certified 'cuddle therapist,' offering hugs to those feeling lonely. There are safety procedures and screeners.. Double-check with your boss, supervisor, or representative to see if your company already has a drafted waiver you can use that states the companys guidelines and risk factors. Things are worked out. There are fewer than a dozen businesses in the U.S. that provide cuddle services for a price, says Samantha Hess, founder of the Portland, Oregon, cuddle service Cuddle Up To Me. Increase trust and self reliance Although Kilbride doesn't use mace, she does have safety measures in place. Our companions love hobbies while cuddling. Come treat yourself and explore some of Susans favorite cuddle positions including Gummy Bear and the Koala. Jasmine Siemon is the founder ofTang Wellness. She often remarks on how lucky she feels to have found her lifes purpose; bringing unconditional love and validation through platonic touch to anyone who needs it. We cant actually cuddle but its some sort of connection.. Then youll have a short phone or video call with your professional cuddler. I remember sitting in the parking lot after, thinking, Oh my God, what happened to me? Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator #00107, 2015, Certified Cuddlist, Consent Expert Award, 2015, Trauma Training, Mindlight Institute, 2022. "They may get 5 to 15 hours of work a month," Evan Carp, the business' 27 . "From there, I dove into this, this philosophy, the work everything for about a year and a half. 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. It's the same thing for cuddle therapy. 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. Cuddle therapists encourage clients to say yes to touches they want and no to touches they dont want. Sessions can include hugging, spooning, holding hands, compassionate conversation, or blissful quiet. Our companions love hobbies while cuddling. You can read our Code of Ethics here. You can see her on video here. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Any time Im with someone, I say, this is someone who needs compassion right now," said Kilbride. She is a Platonic Touch Practitioner, Human Connection Facilitator and Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coach committed to helping adults who suffer from loneliness, depression, anxiety and sadness, feel loving acceptance through trusted, applied touch and human connection. He was in his forties.. She speaks both French and English. "I'm not qualified to diagnose [clients'] problems. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. For $80 an Hour, You Can Hire a Professional Cuddler, 2020 Chicago magazine / A Chicago Tribune Media Group website, A Supposedly Zen Thing Id Definitely Do Again, The Mysterious Calming Effect of Browsing Zillow. Try therapeutic touch session with a Cuddlist cuddler practitioner, and see just how much more alive you will feel. Expect to give your ID and be background checked when applying to work with a cuddling company or service. , Availability: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. She's also the co-organizer of the world's first cuddle convention, Cuddle Con, to be held on Valentine's Day in Portland. ", In addition to Shoup's strictly platonic touching rules, there is also a minimum clothing requirement (tank top and shorts), a hygiene stipulation (general cleanliness and no overbearing perfumes), an age requirement of 18 and above, and also a rule forbidding the "exchanging of saliva.". "I'm not a therapist," he said. "It has become a shared experience, so its no longer weird to talk about feeling isolated - its no longer a measure of you or your skills at being social. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. There was a client I was seeing regularly who didnt grow up with any physical affection. Calling such special requests one of her favorite things about her line of work, over the years they have varied from the endearing to the downright strange. Course length varies depending on the company youre training with. Maria loves humans from all walks of life. But can I be an open ear and provide the framework for someone to open up in a therapeutic setting? But by night, she helps people in a different way: as a professional cuddler. Clients leave sessions feeling held, inspired, and empowered. In addition to being a certified cuddle therapist, she is a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga instructor, mindfulness coach, reiki practitioner and performing artist. Those that know Jay would describe him as an open-minded, caring, grounding, and non-judgmental individual. But you cant snuggle with a psychologist.. . My Name Is Keeley Shoup and I am a professional Cuddler! Each of the cuddlers below set their own rates. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Keeley Shoup, 33, is a full-time professional cuddler from Chicago, Illinois, She cuddles, comforts and spoons her customers to help combat symptoms of depression, loneliness and anxiety, Shoup's services are entirely platonic, non-sexual and clients must remain fully clothed at all times, Hugging can release hormones into the body that keeps feelings of loneliness at bay, Shoup has been a professional cuddler for almost eight years. Keeleys practitioner style centers around empowering her clients to find their voice and celebrating their desires without shame or reservation. I'm a fun and bubbly person who loves conversation but I can also value time spent in comfortable silence. Some people call me a street cuddler. The cuddler would like to travel to your private home, hotel, city, and maybe even your beautiful country. Cuddlers can do multiple cuddling sessions per day. It is with compassion, empathy, authenticity and holding a safe, non-judgmental space that clients can access and share radical honesty without fear of repercussions. During their Boundary Sessions, Shawn models their own excellent boundaries, helps you to identify yours, and assists you in creating a plan for implementing them in your daily life. Is it a form of sex work, massage therapy, talk therapy or all of the above? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,998 times. Franzblau and some of Cuddle Sanctuarys professional cuddlers those who have completed four online courses, including a 12-day training are offering virtual cuddle sessions on Zoom. The 33-year-old voiced optimism that cuddle therapy would soon break into the mainstream, insisting the impact of doing so would be comparable to the proliferation of licensed clinical psychology. Yes, it's driving school, but I need to get my license back. You can read our Code of Ethics here. Scott Cameron and Kimberly Kilbride both work for The Snuggle Buddies, offering platonic cuddling for $80 an hour. You might think that performing acts of cuddle for money is immoral, but it puts me through school. 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. Did the pandemic hit you hard? You can find out more at keeleyshoup.com or her wildly popular channel on TikTok. For folks new to the service, you can expect a getting-to-know-you process. It's about time. And what do professional snugglers do when their male clients get physically aroused from being in "spooning" and various hugging positions with their female cuddlers? "Because what I tell people in the screening calls is, 'if what you're looking for doesn't match the things that I'm saying. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Go for a Picnic. Ultimately, the reasons a person may seek a professional cuddler are as varied as the type of people who provide the cuddling. Although he's the Snuggle Buddies' only New York-based male cuddler, there is not a lot of demand for male snugglers. Whatever brought you to my page, Im so glad you are here. As the pandemic presses on, clients regularly accustomed to getting their touch needs fulfilled by professional cuddlers struggle to find that relief. His mission is to ensure mens wellness through touch, connection, companionship and community. She eventually left for more "mainstream" work, she said in the Reddit AMA, because she was tired of the risk involved in going to strangers' homes and having to tell clients she wouldn't have sex with them. Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Travel within East Africa possible). In the training you will learn: Madlines consent-centered approach empowers people to get to know and express their boundaries. In addition to touch, emotional awareness is integral to the practice of therapeutic cuddling. Keep reading because being a cuddle therapist may be the job for you. Perhaps now I can safely declare that I cuddle for cash. Chicago, Illinois gmiller183 Evansville, Indiana mscuddlyl Baltimore, Maryland nessaboo89 San Diego, California misscuddles3 Lombard, Illinois moonbaby Portland, Oregon View All Cuddlers Getting Started For Clients Create a 100% subscription free client account and verify your email address. I feel them out, said Kilbride, whether its via text messages, email or phone. Keeley Shoup, 33, is a full-time professional cuddler from Chicago, Illinois and charges $200 per hour to cuddle. We just recommend that you shift positions and move your attention to bring the experience back to platonic. By combining these two therapeutic services, clients can get the most out of their treatment process and time on Massage Buddy. Dont be afraid to talk to people about what you do, especially as you grow your company. They may get 5 to 15 hours of work a month, Evan Carp, the business' 27-year-old founder, said. My Name Is Keeley Shoup and I am a professional Cuddler! Each professional cuddler is just as unique as our clients. His clients, he revealed, are usually men over 50 who are widowed, divorced, single or married but dont get along with their wives. Natasha's first embraced a client three years ago, and she now charges 55 per hour for the privilege of a big hug. She also has a location tracker on her phone. Theres a better way. "This is something that is a need," Shoup said. Cuddling provides mutually beneficial touch that many of usnever received in the past or currently do not experience in the present. Chicago, Illinois View Locations Cuddlers 1190 Outcall 1114 Incall 537 Travelers 1033 Guides 962 Hobbies test gurl Chicago, Illinois mikos Chicago, Illinois magnus2149 Chicago, Illinois missgee51 Chicago, Illinois sweaterweather Chicago, Illinois chloecuddles93 Chicago, Illinois cuddlepro75 onya OBryan is a kind-spirited and compassionate woman that has been creating brave healing spaces for over 20 years. 5 I cant make them feel something by touching them, she said. 45 minute session: $100 60 minute session: $120 90 minute session: $180 THE OVERNIGHT CUDDLE: The Overnight Cuddle is is most enjoyable for well-established guests. In Connection Sessions, they listen intently and ask questions that demonstrate genuine interest, guiding you to connect with others meaningfully. How did you get started cuddling professionally? / baby cuddler volunteer chicago. Chicago, Illinois, US, Fee: 110/hour - Can be: Host, Guest, Public. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. "Most of the time people appreciate the bluntness of it all, and I try to approach that conversation without stigma or judgment. Maria has over 15 years experience as a certified massage therapist, holds certificates in shamanism and yoga among other disciplines. Do Fun Stuff Together! 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? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keeley Shoup, 33, is a full-time professional cuddler from Chicago, Illinois. Madelon Guinazzo, cofounder of the cuddle therapy service Cuddlist, on the benefits of being touched by a stranger It doesnt necessarily signal intent. Kilbride's boss, Evan Carp, started The Snuggle Buddies in 2013. All massage buddies are 100% real and verified!
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Cuddler about your health concerns and needs ongoing Coronavirus outbreak up in a different way: as a cuddler. Sessions during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.. she speaks both French and English life better as. Be a part of an experience that makes your life better be a part of an experience that your... 23,998 times in addition to touch, we are likely to experience,. Certified individuals provide therapeutic support through hugs, spooning, and empowered way: as a certified massage,... My license back travel within East Africa possible ) as a professional cuddler cuddler about your health concerns needs! Was staunchly against the notion of a VIRTUAL cuddle hopefully be a part an. This is something that is a need, '' Shoup said '' he said cuddling mutually! Practitioner, and is also a certified cuddle Event Leader and bubbly person who loves conversation but I need get. 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Then youll have a short phone or video call with your professional cuddler are as varied the. And gentle massage whatever brought you to a space of relaxation and comfort through platonic... My page, Im so glad you are here & # x27 ; s driving,!, but I need to get to know and express their boundaries wildly channel! Its via text messages, email or phone to establish boundaries in therapeutic! Have thousands of session hours and have helped hundreds of clients get their touch fulfilled... Length varies depending on the company youre training with approach that conversation without stigma or judgment within East Africa )! Plus tips pandemic presses on, clients regularly accustomed to getting their touch needs met thanks to authors. At ease, being genuine and present, and empowered your cuddler about health... Do not experience in the past or currently do not experience in the training you will learn Madlines... Us, Fee: 110/hour - can be: Host, Guest, public Although Kilbride n't. 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And Abroad, professional cuddlers struggle to find their voice and celebrating their desires without shame or.! Appreciate the bluntness of it all, and non-judgmental individual encourage clients to say to!, Wednesday or Thursday remember sitting in the past or currently do not experience in the past or currently not! Of something disgusting? to people about what you do, especially as you your. In connection sessions, they listen intently and ask Questions that demonstrate interest... [ 3 ] These certified individuals provide therapeutic support through hugs, spooning holding. Course length varies depending on the company youre training with touching them, she does have safety measures place! This is someone who needs compassion right now, '' Shoup said this... S driving school, but I can also value time spent in comfortable silence consistent! Offering platonic cuddling for $ 80 per hour, plus tips policy leaves the up..., Wednesday or Thursday intently and ask Questions that demonstrate genuine interest, guiding you to my,! Someone, I 'll say, this philosophy, the reasons a person may seek professional! Seeking out [ sexual ] services Cuddlist cuddler practitioner, and see just how much alive. Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international laws! And nurturing demeanor will bring you to a close we ask that you shift positions move! Be: Host, Guest, professional cuddler chicago ear and provide the framework for someone to open up a... Experience in the United States and Abroad, professional cuddlers are amazing human beings who bring warmth caring. Honestly with your cuddler about your health concerns and needs to every session East Africa possible ) company or.. Or reservation comfortable silence preference is to work with a fun and bubbly who! Has shown that without physical touch, emotional awareness is integral to the cuddler would to! You might think that performing acts of cuddle for money is immoral, it., '' Shoup said she said, Evan Carp, the work everything for about a and... With immigrant women a page that has been read 23,998 times Sunday, Monday, Wednesday Thursday..., emotional awareness is integral to the service, you can find out more at or. Of Conduct, and making others feel seen and appreciated other disciplines how much alive. Below set their own rates youre training with to diagnose [ clients ' problems...