Yes, cuddle therapy is a real thing — here’s what you need to know
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Cuddle therapy may sound a little out there, but it can offer some real benefits. Learn more about what it is, the key boundaries involved, and 6 tips to get started.
There’s nothing better than a good hug from someone you love or snuggling with a trusted partner. But for many people, that kind of connection is rare. For those who live their lives unpartnered, or far away from family and friends, touch can become a missing piece of modern life. Which is where cuddle therapy comes in.
Cuddle therapy (sometimes called professional cuddling or platonic touch therapy) is a structured practice where practitioners offer comforting, consensual physical contact in a non-sexual setting. It might sound unconventional, but for some, it provides a sense of grounding and belonging that words alone can’t reach.
Rather than replacing traditional therapy, cuddle therapy often complements it — helping people reconnect with their bodies through safe, intentional touch. Let’s explore what this practice involves, why people choose it, the potential benefits, and the boundaries that make it both ethical and safe.
What is cuddle therapy?
A cuddle therapy session usually starts with a conversation. The practitioner and client discuss comfort levels, boundaries, and what kind of touch feels safe to explore. These agreements build trust before any physical contact begins.
The main guideline for cuddle therapy is safety. Every interaction is built on it. It’s also built on mutual consent, ongoing communication, and respect for personal limits. Then, once everyone feels ready, the session begins and typically involves quiet stillness, gentle holding, and side-by-side resting.
Often, sessions take place in quiet, low-stimulus environments, designed to support relaxation and presence. Some practitioners are skilled at reading nonverbal signals to help create a connection that feels calm and grounded.
In essence, this therapy offers safe and caring touch without pressure or expectation. It’s a space to release tension, feel more at ease in your body, and rediscover the gentle relief of simply being held.
Why do people choose cuddle therapy?
People seek out cuddle therapy for a lot of reasons, but one of the most common is a longing for some kind of meaningful touch that's missing from their daily lives.
Many adults go weeks without physical closeness that feels safe, so this therapy can help ease loneliness and tension that’s built up over time from this lack of connection. Others come to rebuild comfort with touch after grief or trauma, or as a way to relax without needing to talk or fix anything.
Then there are still others who are just curious and want a chance to experience care and presence in a platonic, structured way.
What are the benefits of professional cuddle therapy?
Cuddle therapy can offer more than just comfort. It can also create a sense of emotional relief and groundedness. Here are five other common benefits of this type of cuddling:
Calmer nervous system: Safe, nurturing touch can activate your body’s relaxation response, slow your heart rate and ease your stress.
A gentle mood lift: Touch increases oxytocin, the hormone linked to bonding and trust, which can help ease your anxiety and lift your mood.
Restored sense of safety and self-worth: Being held in a fully consensual, non-sexual setting can help rebuild your comfort with touch and remind your body that it’s safe. It can also be powerful for anyone healing from touch-related discomfort or trauma.
Practice with consent and boundaries: Because every session relies on clear consent, clients gain practice in voicing their needs and limits, which are skills that can help in other areas of life.
Better rest and body awareness: Many people notice looser muscles, calmer breathing, and better sleep afterward.
Overall, while research on cuddle therapy itself is still developing, the science on human touch is clear. Safe, consensual contact can support your mental and physical wellbeing. And for many, that makes this therapy a simple, tangible way to care for both body and mind.
How to safely and comfortably explore cuddle therapy: 6 tips to mindfully get started
Trying cuddle therapy for the first time can bring up a mix of curiosity, nerves, and even skepticism. But there are ways to safely approach it so that you feel comfortable and empowered. To ease into it with clarity and comfort, here are six mindful tips.
1. Research practitioners with care
You can explore directories or local listings for professional cuddlers. You might also ask for referrals from friends or from your therapist. While searching, look for a trustworthy practitioner who:
Clearly states sessions are strictly platonic and non-sexual
Outlines their code of conduct and client agreements online
Welcomes questions about boundaries and comfort levels
Moreover, if a practitioner feels vague, overly flirtatious, or avoids talking about professionalism, that’s a sign to go with someone else.
💙 Feeling lonely? Explore Calm’s Reassuring Touch session with Mel Mah.
2. Have a consultation before booking a session
Most professional cuddlers offer a short phone or video call beforehand. During this time, ask them about their approach and share any hesitations or triggers you’re aware of. A good practitioner will slow down, explain how sessions are structured, and never pressure you to move forward.
You might ask questions like, “What does a typical session look like?” or “How do you handle boundaries if something feels uncomfortable?”
3. Set boundaries that fit your comfort level
Before any physical touch, co-create a consent agreement by defining exactly what is and isn’t okay. Maybe you’re open to a side-by-side cuddle but not face-to-face contact. Or maybe you want to have consistent verbal check-ins during the session.
Good practitioners will also encourage you to create a “pause” or “stop” signal. Something simple like raising your hand or saying “pause.”
💙 Explore how to set Boundaries during this meditation with Tamara Levitt in the Calm app.
4. Prepare emotionally and physically
Take a few minutes to check in with yourself before it begins. Ask yourself if you’re feeling open, or anxious. When you know your emotional state, it helps you communicate your needs clearly.
You will also want to be sure to practice good hygiene before a session so be sure to shower, brush your teeth, and wear comfortable clean clothing.
Related read: 10 mindfulness questions to help you check in with yourself
5. Be present and curious during the session
Notice how your body responds to stillness or closeness when you’re in the session. Take stock of your breathing, if your shoulders are relaxing, or if you want to shift positions.
If unexpected feelings come up, like tears or laughter, know that this is normal. Safe touch can bring buried emotions to the surface. If this happens, just acknowledge what’s happening and know it’s welcome.
Related read: What is the physical touch love language? Plus, 8 examples
6. Reflect and integrate afterward
Afterwards, take some quiet time before jumping back into work or social media, as your body might feel tender or unusually calm.
Some people even find it helpful to journal how they felt before, during, and after, take a short walk or shower to reset their energy, or even talk about the experience with a trusted friend or therapist
Related read: The power of self-reflection: 20 questions to help you reflect
Cuddle therapy FAQs
What are the main ideas around cuddle therapy?
Cuddle therapy is about safe, platonic, and consensual touch. It’s based on the idea that physical connection, when clearly defined and respected, can help regulate your body’s stress response and ease emotional tension.
An important part of this therapy is that every session begins with communication and boundary-setting. As a result, the experience feels safe rather than vulnerable.
Is cuddle therapy effective?
It can be. Many people say they feel more relaxed, less anxious, and more connected after a session. Science also backs this up, as touch can boost your feel-good hormones like oxytocin, lower your stress, and improve your mood.
That said, there still aren't many detailed studies on cuddle therapy yet. So, it's best used as support alongside other mental health treatments and not as a replacement.
Who are good candidates for cuddle therapy?
If you feel isolated, touch-deprived, or emotionally disconnected, cuddle therapy could be a good option for you. Also, if you’re struggling with stress, recovering from trauma, or wanting to practice communication and boundaries in a safe setting, this therapy could make a big difference.
But, in general, anyone can be a candidate, as long as they’re open to consensual, non-sexual touch and feel emotionally ready for it.
What are the boundaries set around cuddle therapy?
Boundaries are the foundation of this work. Sessions are always non-sexual and fully clothed, and both client and practitioner agree on specific forms of touch before anything begins. And, either person can pause or stop the session at any time.
On top of this, practitioners uphold strict professional ethics, maintain confidentiality, and ensure that the environment feels emotionally and physically safe.
What happens in a cuddle therapy session?
They typically start with a check-in to talk about comfort levels and expectations. Then, once boundaries are clear, the client and practitioner engage in quiet and nurturing positions, like side-by-side sitting, hand-holding, and gentle embracing.
Throughout the session, the pace is slow and intentional. Also, many practitioners close with a brief reflection to help clients transition back into their daily lives.
What are the risks or downsides of cuddle therapy?
While it’s generally considered to be safe, cuddle therapy can sometimes stir up unexpected emotions, especially if you have a complex history with touch. This is why it’s essential to work with a trained, trustworthy practitioner and to process any strong feelings with a therapist if needed.
Two big barriers are cost and accessibility, as sessions are usually not covered by insurance and aren’t readily available in many areas.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
Images: Getty
