I worry about the nice people who are lonely or have anxiety and all these so called professionals taking advantage of these people in the name of virtual cuddling. Unless someone is a professionally trained licensed counselor, they should not be doing any form of electronic therapy or "virtual cuddling" for money. Most people posting positives who are professional are monetizing this for personal gain at expense of people who need real help. I have no issues with enthusiasts doing virtual cuddling as there is nothing exploitive about that.
@CuddleCare999 I’ll say I’m lonely and I have anxiety.
I’m sure there are some bad actors here on CC just looking for money, but encountering them has been an uncommon experience to me.
I’ve had real-time and virtual sessions with professional cuddlers, both of which I am very grateful for, and who were very generous to me.
I don’t believe many professionals cuddlers are entirely motivated by money; I think it takes a special kind of altruistic person to even attempt pro cuddling.
@CuddleCare999 I’m actually thinking of applying to be a pro. I have some experience cuddling now, and if I do calls, either just chatting, or virtual cuddling, I don’t feel it’s exploitive. My work hours are being reduced, I enjoy cuddling, and would rather do this than some other jobs. The time it takes to cuddle or talk on the phone or do a virtual cuddle, would be time I could be doing another job. Why not do this as a job? There are also multiple other threads that discuss these factors. I would not acting as a therapist if I talked to people. I actually try actively in life not to give advice. Just listen, talk, and share my own experiences. It’s a conversation or a virtual cuddle that the client would not be having otherwise. It can be helpful. Hugs to you! 🤗
KPSM and CuddleHugs01234, Thank you to both of you for sharing. I wish you happiness and success. I will reflect upon your comments. CuddleHugs01234, you are totally ready to be a great Pro and have all the required empathy characteristics from what I can see. Best of luck.
@CuddleCare999 You are welcome!! Thanks! I appreciate it!!!
@CuddleHugs01234 OMG!! You are the most kind, giving ♥️ heart warming, encouraging, person, and you are emotionally there for literally all of us with whom you interact with 🤗
You are constantly spreading love, acceptance and joy to our beautiful cc community 🌎 🗺
We are truly grateful and lucky to have you, thus, you d make the Most Wonderful kind of professional cuddler here if you ever decide so ❤️
@MollyT Thanks, my sweet friend. I actually applied today.
@cuddlefaery I'm grateful for your comment about accomodations for chronically ill and homebound people, especially amongst the common comments referring to the pandemic completely in past tense.
I once or twice had very wonderful virtual cuddles (before pandemic) that were comforting and sweet because we actually talked about what we like and don't like as I would in person to allow us to feel seen and cared for. We were just describing and imagining how we would cuddle with each other.
It can be trickier because so many people have never or barely been asked what kinds of touch they enjoy and where, so it would involve more guess work without being able to consensually experiment with affection.
Sadly the woman I was virtually cuddling with ended up trying to get sexual and did it again after I said no, so it was ruined. I almost only have had that issue with men before. Now that I'm cuddling in person again (though I have them mask), I keep running into that terrible issue again.
Except for a little bit with my also chronically ill friend who makes me feel very seen and safe but doesn't have much capacity, I was incredibly disappointed that I never found someone during the first few years of the pandemic to really do virtual cuddles with. Part of it was just being too depressed probably, but never got close when I looked. I'm still totally open to that if I can actually feel connected to someone...
I'm not a fan. I've done a few, and with DELIGHTFUL clients, but I always feel awkward. I too have always hated Zoom calls - or even just phone calls in general. Being on camera doesn't bother me, I used to do live streaming for a living... It's just that uncomfortable accidentally talking over each other thing that tends to happen with video chats or phone calls.
Needless to say, I don't offer virtuals anymore. Thankfully I'm usually too busy with in-person sessions to accept virtual requests anyway.
I haven't had one yet. The only request I have gotten were inappropriate. Therefore I shut it down.
I am open to it though.
While I understand the need for pros to make a living during the pandemic, and I have no intent or desire at all to take away from people who needed/continue to need personal contact during a time of isolation, I feel very strongly that "virtual cuddles" are simply not that. Part of it is linguistic (the writer and English nerd in me has big feelings) in that "cuddle" is a word with a specific meaning, which by definition cannot be fulfilled virtually.
Part of it is also the potential for lonely people to be taken advantage of, as others have mentioned. Especially since there is no verification, oversight, accepted definition, or any standard at all.
Meeting with someone can be meaningful. Almost all of us found meaningful virtual connections over the past few years. But none of them were cuddles.
One can "virtual cuddle" if there are no friends to Skype.
I have not done virtual video cuddles. I have had success doing texting hugs and cuddles. I’ve done it with people, long-distance and basically describe whatever would do in person. I got the idea when I was doing long-distance energy healing with people and having to do hand placement.
I’m super bummed because I just had my first ever virtual session and it turned inappropriate fast. Even with great reviews on his page. Now I’m wary of it all. The session was stopped early and I’m still shaking it off.
I do virtual, but only if it’s truly for getting to know the other person. I’ve had great experiences with them. I’d do what’s called “mirroring” Where the person I’m on the call with closes there eyes and follows what I tell them to do, while listening to peaceful tranquil music, It could be I tell them to wrap their arms around themselves and squeeze for a few minutes, doing their own shoulder massage, starting at the hands and squeezing all the way up the arm slowly and repeating on the other side. Holding your hand or hands over your heart with a slight compression for a few minutes, this actually helps some in relieving stress and anxiety, putting your hands together, interlocking your fingers and squeezing them, so this person that is possibly thousands of miles away, even though no one was able to meet with them in person, has experienced, what in their mind, felt like a real person met and connected with them, had a personal touch and that is better than none.
I’ve never had a virtual cuddle and quite frankly don’t understand the concept at all. But, I also understand that everyone is wired differently and “to each their own”.