Hugging or Cuddling Therapy

Come experience a platonic, safe, nurturing environment to wind down and feel the restoring power of human touch. The need for warm human touch extends beyond gender, class, race, and age. Many of us have a limited palette of giving and receiving touch in our lives if any at all.

Hugging therapy is definitely a powerful way of healing. Hugging (and also laughter) is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress.
Research shows a proper deep hug, long hug, or cuddling can benefit you in many ways:

1. ​The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.

2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

3. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.

4. Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease-free.

5. Hugging boosts self-esteem. From the time we're born our family's touch shows us that we're loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.

6. Hugging relaxes muscles. Hugs release tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.

7. Hugs balance out the nervous system. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. It helps the nervous system – parasympathetic.

8. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.

9. Hugs are so much like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath.

10. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in your well-being on many levels.​

Questions​

It feels a little strange to see someone just to be held.
It is normal at first to feel a little uncomfortable, but that passes pretty quickly.

Is there a client agreement?
All clients must agree that no sexual activity of any kind will take place.

What positions do I get hugged?
There are several from sitting back-to-back, spooning, lying down, whichever you feel the most comfortable with, and often you do not stay in one position. The session might include hair strokes, hand-holding, some energy work, and an assortment of positions.

Is there anything else I should know?
Yes, that it is a safe and loving environment where you will be held and honored and no sexual activity will happen, just wear comfortable clothes and relax. No perfume, please.

When I first went to see Michael, I was in a lot of physical and emotional pain. He was so kind and welcoming to me and I immediately felt safe with him. I ended up spending the majority of our first session crying my eyes out with my head on his lap. Having someone hold me and comfort me while I cried was exactly what I needed. I have been to countless other therapists where I sit across from them and end up crying alone on the couch while they watch me. Michael has no rules about that and is there to offer hugs and the physical comfort of being held. To me, that made a tremendous difference. Michael has a true healing gift and his office is like a safe haven. 

Lisa