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Hands on Training

If you are interested in helping the cuddlution by starting your own service, we are here to help! We have worked tirelessly to ensure that every last detail would be available for you to safely learn, practice, and explore. We offer hands on training in small groups or one on one classes that provide personalized feedback while you learn the art and science behind professional cuddling. Courses are taught in Portland, Oregon and lead by Master Cuddler Samantha Hess. If we are too far from you we also offer a version of our program online here.

Certification Program Details:

The proprietary system we have created will provide a small group setting and personal attention tailored to vary your experience and broaden your understanding of the intricacies of what we do. There really is so much more to it than just spooning. In order for you to stay safe and your sessions productive you will learn the techniques to help ease your client into this unique concept while intuitively sensing and reacting to the best pressure, placement, and speed of movement to ensure appropriate mindsets are maintained. This course will provide you with all the resources and connections you will need to grow long after the course is complete. We aren’t just building businesses, we are building communities. The training will include:

  • A paper reference manual with more than 80 pages of detailed information
  • Business Overview 
  • Safety/Security 
  • Client Forms
  • Self Care
  • Client Interactions Including Consultations, Sessions, and More
  • Social Media
  • Marketing/Advertising
  • Inbound/Outbound Service Details
  • Red Flags
  • Redirection Techniques
  • Communication Skills Training
  • Compassionate Listening
  • Avoiding Codependency
  • More than 80 cuddle poses
  • Best Practices
  • How to Personalize Your Own Unique Service
  • How to Find the Best Clients
  • How to Tailor Sessions to Clients of Many Backgrounds/Needs
  • An Oath to Ensure you are Connected to Only the Best Folks 
  • Free Lifetime Access to our online training program for ongoing support and material refreshers
  • And Much More!

Cost:

The cost for the in-[erson training program is $2,500. Our in-person course requires you to be on site at the Cuddle Up To Me Studio (6230 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97206) for five consecutive days to complete your training. If you are unable to make it to Portland, please consider our Online Certification or email support@certifiedcuddlers.com for cost information for Samantha to travel to you.  

Things to Consider:

The thing most companies who offer training in this field don’t tell you is that unless you are signing paperwork to become an employee of their company, you are offering your services as your own business. In many places there aren’t laws requiring you file for business licences for just one person, but this is not true in all areas.

Professional Cuddling as a service may not be legal in all areas. Before considering the program we highly encourage you to seek out local expertise (a lawyer you trust) regarding laws in your city, county, state, and country to ensure the service is possible where you are without legal ramifications. If that is currently not possible for you, the very minimum research to find includes laws in your area for what constitutes prostitution and what the laws are for practicing touch with clients (typically found under laws regarding massage therapy). Remember that it’s up to you to determine the legalities of what you offer. Our certification gives you the knowledge and skills to offer one on one professional cuddling, but we are not certifying you in business practices. Please do your due intelligence and know what is required where you are prior to offering services.

While Certified Cuddlers will provide a connection point for clients to find you, you may also consider having your own business pages for folks to find out more about you specifically. Depending on the amount of time you want to dedicate to offering services and how much income you hope to make from this you may want to look into obtaining:

  • Business registration
  • Websites/Accounts for:
    • .com
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube

In addition to the costs of traveling to Portland, food and accommodations while training, and certification costs there are some additional expenses that you may want to consider. 

When I started my business initially I spent less than $100 between buying my web domain, registering as a sole proprietor, and purchasing my first set of shiny new business cards and flyers. Here are some of the typical costs you might consider along the way:  

  • Business licencing
  • Web development
  • Publicity photographs
  • Marketing materials (business cards, flyers, printed waivers, etc)
  • Appropriate attire
  • Self defense training
  • Trademarking your brand
  • Outbound session materials (like pillows and blankets for the park)
  • Inbound studio space rental

When Are Classes Available:

Online classes are available to start anytime!
2020 In-Person Training Schedule: 
Feb 17th-21st
April 22nd-26th
July 13-17th
Oct 5th-9th

How to Sign Up:

When you are ready to sign up please contact support@certifiedcuddlers.com with the class option above that works for you or to request different dates for an individual class. To confirm your space we will send you a deposit request through PayPal for $500, and the remaining balance will be due upon arrival.

Are There Discounts Available?

Currently the only available discounts are for classes with multiple students. If you would like to be put on a waitlist for a class with others we will contact you to determine the dates that work for everyone. As we get other interest we will reach out with the number of people interested in a certain month and confirm dates from there. The discount for 2020 the discount is $250 off the training cost per person, up to $1,000 off ($1,500 each with four students) for any class with multiple students.

Can I Make Payments?

Prior to visiting we are happy to accept monthly payments from you for any amount, and once full payment is received you will be welcome to book your class with us. Please email support@certifiedcuddlers.com to get started.

Additional Information:

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