Cuddle Therapy
With countless therapies in existence, another unique
and specialised form of therapy that focuses on the healing effects of cuddling
has come into being as cuddle therapy. Now, what is cuddle therapy? Like any
other therapy, cuddle therapy is also a session with an expert which involves
platonic touch such as cuddling, stroking and hair-play. The professional
cuddlers create a safe and comforting space for clients to relax, unwind and
experience the physical and emotional benefits of platonic touch. Whether you
are seeking relaxation, stress relief or simply a moment of comfort, the cuddle
therapy session is your answer. This therapy is designed to promote overall
well-being and enhance mental health. Every embrace is tailored to nurture your
mind body and soul. Before the session begins, there are some exercises that needs
to be practiced to help relax during the session in order to continue cuddling
up with a stranger.
Now the question is, who requires this therapy and
why? As per experts, some people are not
getting what they need because they have fewer people in their life or crave
more touch than their friends are willing to give. In such cases, cuddle
therapy comes to light and fill the void. This Therapy is also known as platonic
touch therapy. It releases oxytocin and facilitates the development of authentic
connection and security.
At some time or the other, we may have experienced
that a hug from a family or friend makes us feel happy. Hugs reinforce neurotransmitters
such as dopamine. Dopamine is also called happiness hormone. Experts believe
that cuddling can improve sleep and support overall health by releasing
oxytocin. It releases stress, lowers blood pressure, eases
pain, boosts mood and immunity.
Is cuddling therapy officially approved in India? Yes,
as long as the therapist stays within the defined platonic and therapeutic
boundaries. This therapy may sound fairly new to us but its origin goes back to
the year 1972 when Dolores Krieger a professor at New York University, School
of Nursing and clairvoyant Dora Kunz a natural healer, invented this therapy
and called it Thera-peutic touch (TT) a form of complementary and alternative
medicine based on the belief that vital energy flows through the human body.
This energy is said to be balanced or made stronger by practitioners who pass
their hands over or gently touch a patient’s body.
Simran N Chandnani from Mumbai is a certified
professional Cuddle therapist and is practicing for the past 2 years but there
is no mention of how much she charges. I stumbled upon her profile on Linkedin.
Another cuddle therapist Trevor Hooton a 30 years old from the UK has clients
queuing up to pay 75 pounds per hour.
To become a cuddle therapist, one must possess
qualities like tactile, warm, empathic, understanding and
non-judgmental. Most cuddlers are believed to have backgrounds in holistic
therapy. It costs anything between Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.3,00,000 to undergo a
training to become a cuddle therapist.
There seem be a demand in India for this service, but
people are still apprehensive about it. Most people are unsure of how to go
about it, or if these sessions are safe. As our societies are still very
conservative, the therapists have to depend on business solely through word of
mouth and in few cases, on Doctor’s suggestion. These Doctors are mostly Psychiatrists.
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