Inside the world of professional cuddling in the heart of NYC

In the heart of New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its fast-paced lifestyle, an unexpected remedy has emerged for the pervasive loneliness and isolation that paradoxically plagues its residents. In this urban jungle where thousands coexist, a yearning for genuine human connections has given rise to a unique profession.

Ella, a former art teacher who has made the transition to becoming a touch therapist, specializing in what she terms "cathartic care" through professional cuddling. At a rate of $150 per hour, she extends her arms in warm and comforting embraces, attracting clients from diverse backgrounds. These clients are not her kin; instead, they are individuals seeking solace in the embrace of a compassionate stranger.

Ella, who prefers to maintain her last name in confidence, is part of a burgeoning community of professional cuddlers. Her boudoir serves as a haven, where clients engage in various forms of soothing embraces, from head-to-chest cuddles to intimate face-to-face interactions.


These non-sexual cuddling sessions have become a source of healing for her clientele, predominantly comprised of married men between 40 and 60 years old. Yet, she has recently observed a rising number of Gen Z women turning to her services, driven by their struggle to establish non-platonic physical connections in the city that never sleeps.

Ella retired from her career as an art teacher in New York City's public schools in 2017 to embark on her touch therapy journey. Although not a licensed psychologist, she has completed rigorous training through the Cuddlist's certification program. Ella contends that her cuddling sessions offer a unique form of intimacy and unwavering acceptance that often eludes her clients in their homes, during conventional talk therapy, or in the realm of traditional massage parlors.

A study conducted in July 2023 characterizes professional cuddling as a therapeutic practice that provides both recipients and practitioners with a nurturing and calming experience of mutual, non-sexual touch.

This unconventional treatment has been lauded for its capacity to enhance psychological and physical well-being, alleviating stress, addressing sleep deprivation, reducing the risks of cardiovascular issues, and bolstering the immune system.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic initially posed a significant challenge to professional cuddlers due to social distancing restrictions that prohibited in-person interactions. Clients who had relied on these services for skin-to-skin comfort had to adapt by resorting to self-soothing techniques or simulating the intimacy of touch through virtual means. However, with the gradual easing of lockdown measures, the professional cuddling industry has experienced remarkable growth.