When I signed up as a pro for CC in 2018 the application form encouraged people to use their real names to give more credence to professional cuddling, although it wasn't mandatory. I have a rather embarrassing (at least to me) confession to make - I have been using a pseudonym going back my entire time offering cuddling sessions. So the name that I go by, the name listed on my site, and the name I had on my profile was not my real name. I think I'm ready to shed it. I've been using it to protect my real identity, because I was somewhat scared of people finding out who I was when I first began. In fact I was being found on Facebook and other social media platforms via other means by clients and abusers I did not invite into that space of my life. At one point I even used a masked photo of myself so that I wouldn't be totally recognised after a severe stalking incident which took place last year. It really was frightening. Today I no longer have social media for a myriad of reasons mostly unrelated, and this is no longer such a big fear. My real name was eventually given to some clients I trusted wholly, and it actually helped us bond better.
I talked some time ago in therapy with my counsellor about living authentically without any masks, and I feel like this could be one of them. At this point, why am I still in hiding? Where I used to feel safe operating under the name "Christine", I now feel removed from my actual self. A pseudonym, a nom de plume, pen name, whatever you wanna call it seems so inconsequential, but at the end of the day it's not feeling like me. Moreover, I understand why it could be looked down upon, or how people could assume that under-the-table activity is going on if the providers feel the need to hide who they really are.
Are there any enthusiasts or clients here who would not see a pro who they discovered was using a pseudonym? What would you think of someone who was stepping out of one to be more transparent about who they are? After years of trying to figure out what I want to do, I'm finally taking steps to pursue an education in social work later this year or early next, with a dream of an eventual higher education in psychology which will take me some further years to go for. My experiences providing platonic touch as well as my survival of narcissistic abuse, childhood sexual abuse and others have led me to that decision. I want to be able to fully introduce the person going on that journey, not "Christine".
Any thoughts, guys?