Cuddle therapy is based on a simple gesture : being held in someone’s arms.
This simple gesture helps release oxytocin, often called the "well-being hormone".
I welcome you as you are, without judgment. I offer a space of support and gentleness.
Gabriel Salgado
Overview
When to come
-
If you feel a need for human contact
-
If you are going through a period of loneliness or isolation
-
If you would like to reconnect with your body and your sensations
-
If you would like to take a moment to slow down
-
If you would like to ease stress or inner tension
-
If you are looking for a respectful and well-defined form of contact
-
If you would like to gently explore touch
-
If you would like to reconnect with a sense of human warmth
-
If you would like to feel welcomed without judgment
In practice
-
Location : at my home, in Ixelles (Brussels)
-
Availability : same-day sessions possible, depending on availability
-
Setting : in a comfortable, warm, and simple space
-
Clothing : please wear comfortable clothes
-
Rates : 1 hour – €60 / 1h30 – €100
-
Payment : cash or via Payconiq
-
WhatsApp contact : +32 470 87 76 39 (faster response)
-
A moment to experience human warmth, slow down, and take care of yourself
Cuddle therapy
Origin
Cuddle therapy has its roots in what are known as “cuddle parties,” which first appeared in New York in the early 2000s. These gatherings were introduced by Reid Mihalko, a sexologist, and Marcia Baczynski, a relationship coach and consent educator. Cuddle parties are structured group events centered on consensual, non-sexual touch between adults. They emerged as a response to increasing individualism and feelings of loneliness in modern society.
Over time, this collective format gradually evolved into one-on-one sessions. This is now referred to as cuddle therapy, where a person receives a supportive, consensual embrace from a practitioner.
The setting
La séance se déroule dans un espace aménagé pour favoriser le relâchement. Le câlin se fait sur un matelas au sol, un tapis ou un sofa, avec des coussins disposés pour assurer le confort. La lumière est douce et une musique discrète peut être proposée.
Clothing
The session takes place fully clothed, with comfortable attire.
Session structure
The session unfolds in three parts: an initial moment to welcome you and clarify your expectations, the time of the cuddle itself, and a closing moment to gently return to yourself.
The connection
Cuddle therapy is based on a simple and calm encounter. It involves being held in each other’s arms. The contact can take different forms: gentle or more enveloping embraces, lightly rocking, or simply remaining still. Positions are chosen together, based on what feels comfortable for the person.
Quality of touch
When touch is present, it remains simple and light. It may take the form of subtle gestures, such as gentle caresses or soft strokes. Its intensity and rhythm are adjusted according to what is expressed verbally or through body cues.
Breathing and presence
Attention may be given to conscious breathing when relevant. It supports the contact and helps maintain a sense of presence.
Safety framework
Cuddle therapy is a well-being practice, distinct from massage and from any form of medical care, and does not involve any sexual contact. Boundaries are clearly defined in advance to provide clarity and ensure a predictable, reassuring space.
The practice is based on respect, listening, and ongoing consent throughout the session. Every gesture is adjusted according to what is clearly agreed upon and can be stopped or modified at any time.
Benefits
Prolonged physical contact is associated, at a biological level, with the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to feelings of safety, attachment, and relaxation. It may also be accompanied by a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone, as well as the activation of dopamine, which plays a role in pleasure and reward.
In this context, cuddle therapy promotes a general sense of calm. The body can gradually relax, allowing emotions to flow more freely, without being held back or judged. This sense of safety supports a more open awareness of one’s experience, while mental activity slows down, making space for a calmer, more present state, connected to bodily sensations and the breath.
Who I am
Gabriel Salgado
My path, shaped by different experiences, gradually brought me to cuddle therapy. In my early thirties, I went through a period of questioning that led me toward a way of living more connected to nature, the body, and human contact. It was during this time that I discovered yoga, first as a practitioner. This experience helped me develop a deeper awareness of the body, the breath, and presence, and gradually sparked a desire to support others. I then chose to train and eventually became a yin and vinyasa yoga teacher.
Over time, I felt the need to explore other ways of supporting people through the body, where direct contact could have its place. Cuddle therapy gradually became an obvious path. I trained at a school in Spain and then began practicing. Today, I work as both a yoga teacher and a cuddle therapist.
My approach
Awareness
Cuddle therapy is grounded in an attentive awareness of one’s experience. The person is invited to stay connected to their sensations, their breath, and their inner state. The session unfolds at a slow pace, supporting a state of presence between wakefulness and relaxation, as if entering a different sense of time, rooted in the present moment.
Humanity
A warm human presence is offered, with attention given to the person as they are. There is nothing to achieve or to demonstrate. The person can simply be there and experience the moment. The contact unfolds without expectation of results or goals.
Non-verbal connection
Time for conversation is offered at the beginning and at the end of the session. During the cuddle itself, the exchange happens mainly through the body and sensations. Silence supports this quality of connection.
Listening and attunement
The session evolves in response to what unfolds in the moment. The pace, positions, and way of engaging in contact are adjusted according to the person, without a fixed model. The person remains free to express what feels right or not at any time.
Professionalism
The practice is grounded in training and structured experience. It takes place within a clear, respectful, and consistent framework, ensuring the quality and safety of the session.
Resources
Scientific articles
Two scientific articles are shared here, exploring the effects of physical contact on the body, particularly through hugging. These studies suggest that it may help reduce stress, support certain immune system processes, and promote a sense of safety. To read them, please click on the buttons below.
Videos
Two videos are shared here, hosted on YouTube and coming from reliable sources. The first shows a cuddle therapy session, and the second explains the effects of hugging on the body. To watch them, please click on the buttons below.
Practical information
Location
At my home, in Ixelles (Brussels)
Setting and hygiene
Sessions take place on a prepared floor with mats and cushions, on a sofa, or sometimes on a bed
High standards of hygiene are maintained
Rates and formats
€60 for a 1-hour session
€100 for a 1.5-hour session
Session conditions
Sessions take place in comfortable clothing
Payment in cash or via Payconiq
Extras
Tea or herbal infusion offered before the session
Book a session
-
Same-day sessions may be available, depending on availability
-
WhatsApp : +32 471 91 69 66 (faster response)
Email : gabrielsalgadoramos@outlook.com