PROFESSIONAL CUDDLIST® IN NEW YORK

Cuddle Therapy

Real human connection is rare and beautiful.

Cuddle therapy is an opportunity to experience intimate connection through touch that is platonic, non-sexual, and consent-based. Professional cuddle sessions provide a supportive healing environment, empower you to communicate, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety through the body’s release of oxytocin.

Certified as a trauma-informed coach, I understand the potential psychological impact of touch on those who have experienced trauma in their lives. Cuddle positions and the nuanced details of the environment are entirely your choice—and can be changed at any time for your comfort.

Sessions are 60 minutes ($125) or 90 minutes ($150) at one of my locations in NY. Out-calls are available, and travel expenses will vary depending on location.

PROFESSIONAL CUDDLIST® IN NEW YORK

Cuddle Therapy

Real human connection is rare and beautiful.

Cuddle therapy is an opportunity to experience intimate connection through touch that is platonic, non-sexual, and consent-based. Professional cuddle sessions provide a supportive healing environment, empower you to communicate, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety through the body’s release of oxytocin.

Certified as a trauma-informed coach, I understand the potential psychological impact of touch on those who have experienced trauma in their lives. Cuddle positions and the nuanced details of the environment are entirely your choice—and can be changed at any time for your comfort.

Sessions are 60 minutes ($125) or 90 minutes ($150) at one of my locations in NY. Out-calls are available, and travel expenses will vary depending on location.

 

Hi, I’m Kelly (they/them)

My role as a Certified Cuddlist® is to provide a supportive growth environment, to empower you to practice consent and boundary-setting, and to offer platonic intimate connection. I was literally made for deep, deep work (ask me about my chart!), and I often work with clients who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

I believe that every person deserves love, compassion, respect, and to feel a sense of belonging. As a genderfluid / non-binary and queer human, I welcome clients of all genders, races, sexual identities, ages, body types and physical abilities. 

My first career was as the founder of a digital marketing agency. Since 2016, I’ve been a Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach and speaker.  In 2021, I founded Consciousness Leaders to amplify the voices of women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled and military veterans. Since 2023, I am a Reiki Level III practitioner, Certified Cuddlist®, and facilitator of healing retreats across the US. I’m currently training to become an End-of-Life Doula.

My book, Heal to Lead: Revolutionizing Leadership through Trauma Healing (2024, Wiley) supports my vision—for more than half of humanity to heal from childhood trauma, so that we may reimagine and rebuild the world together.

What Cuddle Clients Say…

Marija Joksimović, LAc

“Thank you for introducing me to cuddle therapy. It has had such a positive impact so far, a soothing balm for my soul… My life has been legit easier since I met you. People are portals.”

Marija J., Acupuncturist

Georgie Wells

[Testimonial coming soon.]

Georgie W., Landscape Architect

Cuddlist® Code of Conduct

1. Client and Practitioner both verify that they are at least the legal age of consent in their location.

2. Client and Practitioner both agree to be free from any mind-altering substances during the sessions and are thereby fully able to give consent.

3. Client agrees to fully disclose any diagnoses or conditions that may affect their cuddling session to the Practitioner.

4. Client and Practitioner both agree to practice consent and attention to personal boundaries at all times.

5. Client and Practitioner will communicate to find what is mutually comfortable throughout each cuddling session. This applies to all communication prior to and after sessions as well.

6. This is a strictly platonic service. Client and Practitioner both agree to not pursue or encourage sexual arousal. Also:

  • Minimum clothing of tank top and shorts that cover the top half of the thigh and are suitable to be worn in public for both Client and Practitioner at all times.
  • No hand to genital or breast contact. No intentional genital stimulation of any kind.
  • No exchanging of saliva, or any other bodily fluid, in any way.

7. Client and Practitioner both agree to respectful personal hygiene.

8. Client confidentiality is to be respected at all times.

9. Either Client or Practitioner may end the session at any time.

10. All feedback is valued and confidential. Client and Practitioner agree to let Cuddlist.com know if either party does not uphold this code of conduct during a Cuddlist session through our feedback form.

I’m Here to Answer Your Questions

Who is cuddle therapy for?

Cuddle therapy is for anyone seeking platonic, intimate connection. This can include, but is not limited to those who have experienced:

• loneliness, isolation or touch deprivation
• physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect
• social anxiety or chronic stress
• difficulty forming connections
• a desire for a supportive space to receive non-sexual physical affection

How much does it cost?

Sessions cost $125 for 60 minutes or $150 for 90 minutes at my location.

Out-calls are available, and additional travel expenses vary depending on your location.

What are the benefits of cuddle therapy?

Platonic touch has been found to boost self-esteem and confidence, curb stress, anxiety and depression, and even boost immunity through the release of three hormones:  oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine.

Touch is a powerful tool in our wellbeing—impacting everything from lower blood pressure and pain reduction to improved sleep and beyond.

If you have a particular health question or concern, please remember to discuss this with me when we talk.

What should I expect in a session?

Please wear loose or comfortable clothing, and have a water bottle with you. I typically have tissues with me should emotions arise during our time together.

You can expect professionalism from the beginning to the end of your platonic touch therapy session.

We’ll revisit the code of conduct (see below) and talk about what you’d like from the session. We can explore an initial position that would feel good to you and adjust as often as needed.

Cuddle positions and nuanced details about the environment (i.e. lighting, temperature, music, pillows, blankets, etc.) are entirely your choice and can be changed at any time. I will clearly communicate my own boundaries so you never have to worry about my comfort, and I will trust you to do the same.

I set a timer that will gently sound 10 minutes prior to the end of our session so that we can transition slowly out of the cuddle container. Once our cuddle session has concluded, we’ll talk briefly about your experience and what we might do or try differently during a subsequent visit, if applicable.

Can I see the entire code of conduct?

Cuddlist® Code of Conduct

1. Client and Practitioner both verify that they are at least the legal age of consent in their location.

2. Client and Practitioner both agree to be free from any mind-altering substances during the sessions and are thereby fully able to give consent.

3. Client agrees to fully disclose any diagnoses or conditions that may affect their cuddling session to the Practitioner.

4. Client and Practitioner both agree to practice consent and attention to personal boundaries at all times.

5. Client and Practitioner will communicate to find what is mutually comfortable throughout each cuddling session. This applies to all communication prior to and after sessions as well.

6. This is a strictly platonic service. Client and Practitioner both agree to not pursue or encourage sexual arousal. Also:

  • Minimum clothing of tank top and shorts that cover the top half of the thigh and are suitable to be worn in public for both Client and Practitioner at all times.
  • No hand to genital or breast contact. No intentional genital stimulation of any kind.
  • No exchanging of saliva, or any other bodily fluid, in any way.

7. Client and Practitioner both agree to respectful personal hygiene.

8. Client confidentiality is to be respected at all times.

9. Either Client or Practitioner may end the session at any time.

10. All feedback is valued and confidential. Client and Practitioner agree to let Cuddlist.com know if either party does not uphold this code of conduct during a Cuddlist session through our feedback form.

How can I gift a session to someone?

If you would like to gift a cuddle therapy session (or series of sessions) to a friend or loved one, please contact me. I will need to schedule a 1:1 Zoom call with the recipient prior to booking.

And thank you for being a kind and generous human!

If you’d like to book, let’s talk.

Recent Writing