I struggle with the concept of 'licensing' or 'certification' in regards to cuddling. As others have said- none of the sites or programs which promise these things are overseen by any sort of regulatory board or standards committee. It is all completely an internal transactional thing. Without fail the programs/courses are very expensive and give me a very disingenuous vibe. I've worked with social workers, therapists and psychiatrists for close to a decade- there is absolutely no 'certified touch therapy worker' license in the USA. Even when I've worked in literal clinical settings... Cuddling is so much more an organic intuitive practice. I don't have a set program of movements and positions I need to 'get through' . Every physical body is so incredibly different- in size, density, mobility, injury... Not to mention the mental and emotional aspect. It is entirely preposterous to me to try and design some sort of cuddle strategy or program for a client. I think the incredible level of individualism required for a successful cuddle makes a cohesive set of detailed guidelines for how Cuddling should happen nearly impossible. And that alone makes any blanket licensing or regulation impossible. You can define parameters for consistent treatment of physical ailments, and mental ones- but the weird combination of both that is cuddling - and that it is a leisure activity 90% of the time... it is a ridiculous and hubris filled thought to certify a specific cuddlibg 'method' . I understand why a client could ask... but ... yea. No.
We are on the same page---why complicate cuddling---their maybe different techniques---but cuddling experiences are always going to be uniquely different and the experience should come natural------I feel bad for the topic poster---I think she was just dealing with a lousy client too afraid to give a direct answer
I do like your philosophy and your "clients" are very lucky
Certification/licensing means nothing. Most people have a driver’s license yet there are tons of crappy drivers. I agree with @snuggable1 that most certifications are money grabs. Nothing trumps actually doing it and finding out what people like.
I have yet to find an unregulated cuddler who had not perfected the technique of raising their arms up, putting them around a client and hugging. Most have even perfected polypositional cuddle physics through cuddle home schooling. Some have advanced degrees in consent having studied the epistemology of yes and no.
I have yet to find an unregulated cuddler who had not perfected the technique of raising their arms up, putting them around a client and hugging.
So pretty much that's in line with what I suspected all along: getting a cuddle certificate is like getting a food chewing certificate or a kissing certificate or breathing certificate.
Also @JUICYLUCY was a certified cuddler and look how she ended up,
I think my training speaks for itself.