Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions Answered
What does a cuddle session involve?
I want this to be a truly relaxing, caring and comforting session. This is your time, and sessions can be fully guided or co-created based on your preferences.
After a short conversation, I’ll guide you through some breathing techniques to help get you relaxed. The rest of the session can incorporate eye-contact, hugging, sharing conversation or quiet hand-holding, playing with hair or trying various cuddling positions.
Who is cuddle therapy for?
Clients seek healing touch and human connection in a safe and comfortable space, and visit me for reasons including:
• Stress
• Loneliness
• Social anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Grief
• Neurogenerative diseases
What are the benefits of cuddling?
The benefits of human touch have been confirmed by multiple scientific studies. Affectionate touch has physiological and biochemical effects, which result in decreased blood pressure, heart rate and Cortisol level (stress hormone), thereby helping us strengthen our immune systems, and reduce stress. Touch can provide a soothing and comforting effect for people suffering from life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s disease. It has been shown to reduce feelings of social isolation.
Touch also elevates Oxytocin levels (hormone that makes you feel good, relaxed and connected to others). The release of oxytocin helps people build trust and bond together on an emotional level. Touch is medicine for the mind and body and has similar benefits to any other analgesic, but it doesn’t have any of the negative side-effects of synthetic medicines. Cuddling helps decrease inflammation and pain, reduce stress and social anxiety, deepen your relationships, and it promotes better sleep.
How long does a session last?
I typically provide one hour or two hour long sessions. Longer sessions are available upon request.
What form of payment do you accept?
I accept online payment in advance or cash at the start of the session.
Where are sessions held?
We can arrange a session at:
- a therapy studio in Central Stockport, Greater Manchester
- the comfort of your home or hotel
What should I wear?
Please wear clothes that are scent-free and comfortable for cuddling. T-shirts and sweatpants, or yoga wear are all perfectly suitable. The minimum of a tank top and shorts to mid-thigh length is required. Undergarments do not constitute as sufficient clothing.
Is it really platonic?
Yes it is! The sessions are completely platonic (non-romantic and non-sexual) – think of the nurturing and comforting relationship between a mother and her child.
What if I get aroused during my session?
This is no big issue. I understand that our bodies react in different ways. Please do not worry about it. We’ll make adjustments to the positioning so that it doesn’t take away focus from the caring nature of the session. I trust you to help keep the space non-sexual, and to ensure that any possible arousal isn’t stoked in any way. As long as we won’t act on it, it will pass.
How do I prepare for the session?
Please arrive with a change of clothing you feel comfortable in such as T-shirt and sweatpants or yoga clothing. Please be recently showered with teeth brushed and avoid wearing strong aftershave or perfume.
Is this service confidential?
Your privacy is extremely important to me. Conversations during a cuddle session are treated as confidential.
What is said in any session, your identity and your personal information stays strictly confidential and will not be shared with anyone else, unless required by law or where safety is compromised.
I respect the confidentiality of my clients by not disclosing their identity unless given permission to do so. The rare exception would be cases such as for my safety or if there is a legal requirement for me to do so – such as a deposition.
How do I book a session?
Please visit my ‘Contact’ page where you can submit your booking request via a simple contact form, and I will get back to you shortly.
Please ensure that your session is booked at least 48 hours in advance, to give enough time to arrange the consultation process.
Can cuddle therapy help with serious mental health issues?
People with serious mental health issues occasionally come for cuddle sessions with the unrealistic expectation that sessions will cure or alleviate these issues. People with unstable interpersonal relationships and a history of various treatments may not fully benefit from cuddle sessions. Cuddle practitioners are touch therapists and therefore don't hold psychiatric training which may be of greater benefit to some people. While cuddle therapy can be beneficial for many people, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment and it’s not recommended for people with serious psychiatric disorders.