If through working with me you manage to build your own support network that meets all your needs (including touch!), I did my job.
If you’re feeling the impulse to want to be held or hold someone, that’s a big sign that your body is screaming at you that you need something you’re not getting—connection. Through sessions, I give you just that. Once that void starts to be filled, many of my clients are able to build connections and communities that fulfill them on their own.
Sam’s Story
Before cuddling, I was a construction engineer that was very good at hustling and grinding at the job… until one day my productivity was the pace of a tortoise. Things I loved doing suddenly weren’t enjoyable to me.
I’ll be honest here: I got into cuddling because I was struggling to make ends meet even in my advanced career (#studentloandebt). I started working part time as a cuddle therapist for an agency in 2015, and I quickly realized what I could bring to this work: deep and meaningful connection with other people. This side job of mine wasn’t just a happy accident—it was a calling that found me. I wasn’t just using my body to cuddle people. I was connecting with others in the most profound ways, and I actually left my engineering job in 2017 to pursue this work full-time.
As I worked with more and more people, I got better at building healthy relationships in all areas of my life. I now take this same sentiment and infuse it into all of the work I do with clients.
When we have healthier relationships with others, we don’t overextend ourselves constantly and we can have the space and energy to show up in more meaningful ways for the people around us.
A little about me personally: I take fitness seriously these days—I am valiantly training to be able to do one single pull-up (lawlz.) My fiance Noah consistently shows me up at the gym—but that’s ok because he is the biggest cheerleader of my business. I work with my most demanding client at home: Kissa, my Jack-Russel/Italian Greyhound mix, who doesn’t understand why hoomans can’t just cuddle all day.
What I value
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING BACKGROUND
CUDDLE-SPECIFIC
Cuddlist Certified
Cuddle Sanctuary Group Event Leader Certified
Previous one of the top cuddlers through the now-defunct agency, Snuggle Buddies
Completed Like a Pro intensive training with Dr. Betty Martin
Learned from both Dr. Susan Kaye and other surrogate partner therapists on how to ethically implement the triadic model with clients and counselors
Co-collaborator for the International Standard Code of Ethics of Professional Cuddlers
Mentored tens of cuddlers through my own program, Snuggle School
Continually learning somatic skills from colleagues to best help clients
NOT CUDDLE-SPECIFIC
Completed through The Connection Institute:
Level 1 Relational Inquiry facilitator certification
Circling for Healers
Untriggered
Actively practicing Authentic Relating skills in and out of sessions
Currently pursing intensive 6-month life coaching certification through Zenith Coaching
Continually learning to better self as a healer through the Flow and Grow Collective
Ex-engineer that understands the unique stress that high-stakes jobs can put on the body
Want to work with me?
