Evaluation of Cuddlist’s Revamped Certification Curriculum
When I started professional cuddling in 2016, I had a bad experience with an online company. It was so bad that I swore off all online cuddle companies. In 2017, when I first stumbled across Cuddlist, I immediately thought, Oh no. Not another one. I scrolled right past it.
Then, in 2018, I attended Cuddle Sanctuary’s in-person certification in Los Angeles, and Jean Franzblau, the founder, recommended Cuddlist to me. Wait… what? If she vouched for them, maybe I needed to give them another look.
So I did and I’m so glad I did. Joining Cuddlist’s membership not only allowed me to connect with more cuddlers in my area who were as serious and compassionate about the work as I was, but also helped me learn about client-led sessions.
Fast forward to 2025, and Cuddlist rolled out a major revamp of their training to include videos and live meetings and not just written lesson plans.
Cuddlist’s Certification Revamp
About a year ago, Cuddlist overhauled its professional cuddler training. It wasn’t just a small update that they required all certified cuddlers to recertify under the new model.
I’ll admit, I groaned a little at first. Another certification process? However, once I got into it, I saw why they did it. The updated training is more comprehensive, refined, and relevant to the evolving industry of professional cuddling.
What the Training Includes
I completed the recertification in just one month, and here’s what it involved:
90-Minute Orientation – Covers the foundations of professional cuddling, ethics, and expectations.
Two 2-Hour Live Zoom Classes – Led by experienced facilitators who go deep into core principles and best practices and answer any questions that the attendees might have.
Two Partner Meetings – Real-time practice with another trainee to apply what we’ve learned.
Mandatory Thought Responses – Reflections on the course material, completed through Podia.
Self-Paced Coursework & Exercises – Reinforces key lessons and encourages self-reflection.
Quizzes After Each Section – Thankfully, super easy (because I have debilitating test anxiety).
This certification is thorough and covers everything you need to know to offer ethical, safe, and professional cuddling sessions.
Shoutout to Keeley Shoupe and Michelle Renee, my facilitators, who were knowledgeable and engaging throughout the process. In addition, they left the space open for questions and that is incredibly helpful when going into something as niche as professional cuddling.
What Stood Out the Most?
The bias awareness and inclusivity training blew me away.
Cuddlist didn’t just brush over inclusivity; they made it a core part of the training. It forced me to look at my own biases, consider certain aspects of my practice, and make sure I was creating a welcoming space for all clients. That was a huge highlight for me.
What I Wish They Had Included
For all the things Cuddlist did cover, there are a few things I wish they had expanded on:
🔹 The science behind cuddling: why human touch is so crucial on a neurological and emotional level.
🔹 Trauma & Attachment Theory: how touch influences emotional regulation, trust-building, and mental health.
That said, every training has limits, and what was included was comprehensive enough to give anyone a strong foundation.
What Happens After Certification?
Once you're certified, you get access to some pretty valuable resources:
Cuddlist Directory Listing (additional $39.99/month): Advertise your services and attract clients. If you don’t want to create a website, you can use and promote your Cuddlist listing.
Club Cuddlist Facebook Group – A private support community with:
Marketing & business meetings (monthly).
Supervision meetings to discuss challenges in sessions.
A network of professional cuddlers to connect and grow with.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely.
Cuddlist offers a structured, ethical, and professional approach to learning how to provide nurturing and consensual touch. If you’re interested in professional cuddling, this is a great place to start. Plus, compared to other certification programs, it’s pretty affordable at $799.
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a professional cuddler, I highly recommend checking out Cuddlist’s Certification Program.
You can use this link to get 10% off when you sign up and get started: https://cuddlist.podia.com/cuddlist-certification/2yn9w?coupon=REFERRAL If it does not work, please reach out to me.
