Attachment (noun) : Attachment is the emotional bond formed in early relationships, especially with caregivers, that shapes how we connect, trust, and seek comfort throughout life. Touch therapy creates a secure, non-judgmental space to explore attachment patterns and gently offer new, healing experiences of connection and care.

Attachment Wounding (noun) : Attachment wounds are the leftover imprints from relationships where your needs for safety, affection, or trust weren’t met. These wounds can show up as hyper-independence, anxiety, people-pleasing, or fear of closeness. Cuddle therapy helps tend to these wounds with patience, consistent boundaries, and compassionate presence.

Bodywork (noun) : Bodywork refers to any therapeutic practice that uses intentional touch, movement, or physical techniques to support the body’s wellbeing. This can include massage, craniosacral therapy, somatic experiencing, and cuddle therapy. In bodywork, the body isn’t treated as separate from the mind - it’s recognized as a wise, communicative part of your healing. Whether soothing the nervous system, releasing stored tension, or fostering connection through platonic touch, bodywork invites you to feel rather than explain, and to heal through presence instead of pressure.

Boundaries (noun) : Boundaries are the limits that protect your well-being, your personal “yes” and “no.” In touch therapy, boundaries are honored with reverence and reinforced with gentle communication. Setting a boundary isn’t rejection - it’s a powerful act of self-care and clarity.

Client (noun) : A person who comes to be cared for, comforted, and gently held in a safe, platonic way. Whether you’re seeking rest, connection, emotional support, or simply a break from the world, a cuddle therapy client is someone brave enough to say, “I deserve to feel safe and supported.” Every session is shaped around your unique needs, with warmth, consent, and kindness at the heart of it all.

Consent (noun) : Consent is an ongoing, mutual agreement, freely given, clearly communicated, and easily withdrawn at any time. In touch therapy, it’s the foundation of everything we do. Consent isn’t just a “yes” - it’s a true yes. It means being heard, respected, and empowered to change your mind without pressure or guilt.

Co-regulation (noun) : Co-regulation is the beautiful nervous system magic that happens when someone else’s calm helps your body feel safer. Through breath, presence, tone, and platonic touch, a regulated person helps another shift from chaos to calm. In touch therapy, co-regulation is often the most healing part : it’s your body remembering it doesn’t have to do everything alone.

Co-Working (noun) : In the context of touch therapy, co-working refers to when multiple practitioners collaborate in a session, often as a team of two providing touch together in sync. This dynamic can offer extra containment, balance, and presence for clients navigating complex needs, trauma recovery, or relational healing. Co-working also models healthy collaboration and emotional attunement between practitioners, which the client’s body often receives as deeply regulating and safe.

Holding Space (verb/phrase) : Holding space means offering non-judgmental, compassionate presence for someone else’s experience - without trying to fix, change, or rush it. In cuddle therapy, holding space might include being physically present through touch, or simply being emotionally present through deep listening and stillness.

Mirroring (verb/noun) : Mirroring is the gentle art of reflecting someone’s emotional or physical state back to them - through breath, posture, tone, or presence. In touch therapy, it might look like matching a client’s breathing, responding with similar body language, or emotionally attuning to their mood. Mirroring says, “I see you. I’m with you.” It helps clients feel validated, regulated, and less alone in their experience.

Nervous System (noun) : Your nervous system is your body’s communication highway : a complex network that controls how you move, feel, respond, and survive. It includes your brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and plays a huge role in regulating emotions, sensations, and stress. In touch therapy, we pay close attention to the nervous system because it tells us when we’re safe, stressed, overwhelmed, or ready to relax. It's the part of you that says, “I feel calm here,” or “Something’s not right.”

Nervous System Regulation (noun/phrase) : Nervous system regulation is the process of helping your body return to a state of balance after stress, fear, or overwhelm. It means guiding your system from fight, flight, or freeze back into calm, connected safety. In cuddle therapy, this can happen through warm touch, deep breathing, gentle rhythm, and presence. Regulation isn’t about “fixing” emotions, it’s about letting your body know it’s okay to soften.

Neurodivergent (adjective) A term that describes individuals whose brains process information differently - often including people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other cognitive variations. Touch therapy for neurodivergent clients often includes clear communication, predictability, and personalized sensory support.

Overstimulation (noun) : Overstimulation happens when your nervous system takes in more input than it can handle, like too much noise, light, emotion, social energy, or even physical touch. When overwhelmed, the body may shut down, become irritable, dissociate, or freeze. For many clients, especially those who are neurodivergent or living with trauma, overstimulation is a daily struggle. In touch therapy, we move gently, slowly, and with consent to create an environment that feels grounding instead of overwhelming.

Platonic (adjective) : Platonic refers to a relationship or interaction that is deeply caring, emotionally supportive, and grounded in connection, but not sexual or romantic. In cuddle therapy, platonic means that every touch, word, and moment is rooted in safety, consent, and non-sexual affection. It’s the kind of closeness that says, “You’re safe here. You’re valued - just as you are.” It’s about offering presence without pressure, and intimacy without expectation, where touch is meant to soothe, not seduce.

Plush Touch / Comfort Touch (noun) : A gentle, nurturing style of touch that’s slow, soothing, and designed to activate the body’s rest-and-digest response. Think: a hand on the back, cradling, light pressure - touch that feels like a lullaby for your nervous system.

Polyvagal Theory (noun) : Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system responds to safety, danger, and connection. It teaches that we don’t just have an “on” or “off” switch for stress, we have a ladder of responses: from calm connection, to fight/flight, to freeze or shut down. Understanding this theory helps us work with the body instead of against it. In cuddle therapy, Polyvagal Theory guides us to notice where a client is on that ladder - and to offer touch and presence that helps them move gently toward regulation and trust.

Professional Cuddling (noun) : A service centered on providing safe, platonic, and consensual touch through comforting activities like holding, snuggling, or simply sitting together in a nurturing environment. Professional cuddling is designed to support emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, alleviate touch deprivation, and promote nervous system regulation. Sessions are guided by clear boundaries, open communication, and consent practices, creating a judgment-free space where clients can feel seen, valued, and cared for without expectation.

Projection (noun) : Projection is when someone assigns their own unacknowledged feelings or experiences onto another person - usually without realizing it. For example, a client might assume you’re judging them when in fact they’re judging themselves. In touch therapy, we notice projections with curiosity, not criticism, and gently support clients in returning to their own body’s truth and emotional landscape.

Safe Space (noun) : A safe space is an environment where you can show up exactly as you are - without fear of judgment, pressure, or harm. In cuddle therapy, it means every part of you is welcome: your boundaries, your emotions, your silence, your laughter. It’s where consent is prioritized, communication is clear, and connection happens at your pace. A safe space isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling: “I can breathe here. I can be held without being hurt.”

Save Space (verb/phrase) : To save space means to intentionally set aside emotional or physical room for someone - honoring their needs, boundaries, and experiences even before they arrive. In touch therapy, saving space might look like prepping the room with cozy textures, checking in before the session, or energetically clearing your own expectations. It’s a quiet way of saying, “I made room for you.” It’s proactive care: creating comfort, not just reacting to discomfort.

Self-regulation (noun) : Self-regulation is your nervous system’s ability to come back to calm after being activated. It might look like deep breathing, grounding techniques, or placing your hand on your heart. In touch therapy, we also explore how safe, soothing touch helps build this inner resource so you can carry it with you outside of session.

Session (noun) : A session is a dedicated window of time where you’re invited to slow down, receive care, and reconnect with yourself through guided, consensual touch. In cuddle therapy, each session is co-created between practitioner and client, centered around your comfort, needs, and boundaries. It might include quiet holding, gentle conversation, deep breathing, or simply resting side by side. More than just time on a calendar, a session is a sacred pause - a space where healing, presence, and nervous system restoration are gently held and honored.

Shut Down / Freeze Response (noun) : A state the body enters when stress or trauma becomes too much - characterized by numbness, disconnection, stillness, or dissociation. In cuddle therapy, we work slowly and respectfully to help clients re-engage safely, offering a sense of choice and grounding without pressure.

Somatic (adjective) : Rooted in the Greek word soma, meaning “body,” somatic refers to anything related to the lived, felt experience of the body. In therapeutic settings, like cuddle therapy, it’s about paying attention to the body’s cues, sensations, and signals as a way to guide healing, release stress, and build self-awareness. Whether it's the warmth of a hand on your shoulder, a deep breath you didn’t know you needed, or the quiet comfort of stillness, somatic practices invite you to slow down and feel what's happening inside, not just think about it. It’s body-first care, where your physical experience is honored as wise, valid, and worth listening to.

Somatic Consent (noun) : Somatic consent is the practice of tuning into your body’s yes, no, and maybe - rather than making decisions based only on logic or what you think you “should” do. It’s about asking, “What does my body need right now?” and honoring that with clarity and care. Every session is built around this practice.

Talk Therapy (noun) : Also known as psychotherapy or counseling, talk therapy is a form of mental health care that uses conversation to explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life experiences. Guided by a licensed therapist, sessions can help clients gain insight, process emotions, build coping tools, and heal from trauma. While talk therapy works through the mind and narrative, it’s often complemented beautifully by body-based practices - especially when words aren’t enough or when healing needs to happen on a deeper, felt level.

Touch Deprivation (noun) : Touch deprivation, sometimes called “skin hunger,” is the physical and emotional ache that comes from not receiving enough safe, nurturing touch. It can lead to feelings of loneliness, sadness, or even physical symptoms like tension or fatigue. In touch therapy, we meet this need slowly and respectfully, with consent-based, affirming contact.

Touch-Therapist (noun) : A trained professional who uses consensual, intentional, and non-sexual physical touch to support emotional well-being, nervous system regulation, and holistic healing. Touch therapists create safe, platonic environments for clients to experience comfort, connection, and care through techniques such as therapeutic holding, grounding touch, and guided co-regulation. Rooted in trauma-informed principles and somatic awareness, touch therapy honors boundaries, autonomy, and the body’s innate wisdom, offering an alternative or complement to traditional talk therapy.

Transference (noun) : Transference happens when a client unconsciously redirects feelings, expectations, or patterns from a past relationship onto their practitioner. It might look like seeing the practitioner as a parent figure, fearing abandonment, or feeling overly attached. This is a normal part of healing. In cuddle therapy, we hold space for transference with compassion and strong boundaries, helping clients explore those feelings safely and with awareness.

Trauma (noun) : Trauma is not just what happened to you, it’s what your body had to do to survive it. It’s the imprint left behind when something overwhelms your ability to cope, leaving your nervous system stuck in protection mode. Trauma can be caused by a single event or ongoing experiences like neglect, abuse, or loss. In touch therapy, we don’t try to "fix" trauma - we create safe, co-regulated moments that help your body learn: “It’s okay now. I’m safe here.”

Trauma Bond (noun) : A trauma bond is an intense emotional connection formed with someone who is also causing harm, often through cycles of abuse, manipulation, or inconsistency. These bonds can feel confusing, addictive, and hard to break, even when someone knows the relationship isn’t healthy. In touch therapy, we help clients rebuild trust in their own body signals, boundaries, and sense of worth - without judgment or shame.

Trauma-Informed (adjective) : Trauma-informed care means understanding how trauma impacts the body, mind, and behavior and creating space that feels safe, empowering, and respectful. In touch therapy, this means honoring choice, moving at the client’s pace, and never assuming what’s best. It’s care rooted in compassion and consent.

Vagus Nerve (noun) : The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body, running from your brainstem down through your chest and abdomen. It plays a vital role in regulating your heartbeat, digestion, breathing, and -importantly- your sense of safety and connection. Often called the body’s “social nerve,” the vagus helps shift you out of survival mode and into rest-and-digest. Gentle touch, deep breathing, humming, and co-regulation during cuddle therapy can all help stimulate the vagus nerve and support calming.

Window of Tolerance (noun) : The emotional zone where your nervous system feels just-right: alert but calm, engaged but not overwhelmed. Cuddle therapy supports clients in expanding their window of tolerance over time - so they can handle more life, more sensation, and more connection with greater ease.