7 Myths About Cuddle Therapy (And What Actually Happens)
If you’ve ever been curious about cuddle therapy but held back because of something you heard, you’re not alone. Most people who reach out to me start with, “This might be a dumb question, but…” (spoiler: it’s never dumb).
There are a lot of myths about what cuddle therapy is, who it’s for, and whether it’s safe. Today, let’s clear the air.
Myth 1: “Cuddle therapy is inherently sexual.”
Nope. Cuddle therapy is 100% non-sexual, structured, and professional.
It’s like massage or physical therapy: you’re giving and receiving touch, but it’s safe, therapeutic, and bounded by consent. Sexual, erotic and romantic touch is explicitly off the table.
Myth 2: “Consent is ongoing.”
In session, consent is ongoing before, during, and after touch. You can change your mind at any time. I encourage clients to practice “no” and “pause” just as much as “yes.”
Myth 3: “Only lonely people need this.”
Loneliness can be one reason people come, but so can stress, trauma recovery, relationship struggles, or simply wanting to feel more at ease in their body. Everyone needs safe, nurturing touch. We are social creatures and it’s a human need, not a weakness.
Myth 4: “Touch equals dependency.”
Healthy touch doesn’t create dependency; it creates resilience. When your nervous system experiences co-regulation, you feel calmer and more capable in other areas of your life.
Myth 5: “It’s not ‘real therapy,’ so it can’t help.”
Cuddle therapy isn’t psychotherapy. However, it is therapeutic. It complements talk therapy beautifully because it gives you a chance to feel safety, not just talk about it. Many therapists refer clients to me for exactly this reason.
Myth 6: “Practitioners just ‘wing it.’”
Professional cuddling is an unregulated industry, but certified cuddle professionals are trained in consent, trauma-informed care, boundaries, and session structure. A real session isn’t random but has flow, safety checks, and clear agreements.
Myth 7: “If it’s safe, it will always feel comfortable.”
Here’s the truth: safety doesn’t always equal comfort. Sometimes what’s safe feels awkward simply because it’s new. The good news? With practice, your body learns to relax into it.
So what does a session actually look like?
Consent: We talk first. You get choices and say what feels right. You maintain bodily autonomy throughout the session.
Touch: Everything from holding hands to sitting side-by-side to spooning to no-touch is possible and always co-created.
Check-ins: I’ll pause to see how you’re feeling. You can always say yes, no, or change your mind.
This is why I practice bidirectional therapeutic touch: mutual, consented, and grounded in clear roles where the touch is both for you and me.
Would You Like to Practice?
Which of these myths has kept you from seeking healthy touch? Write it down. Then ask: What would I try if this belief softened, even just a little?
