How cuddle therapy worksGlobally, platforms such as Cuddlist.com have formalised cuddle therapy into a structured, regulated service. Meanwhile in IndiaScreengrab of an Indian website offering professional cuddlers (Photo: Website/Cuddletherapy.co.in) Screengrab of an Indian website offering professional cuddlers (Photo: Website/Cuddletherapy.co.in)In India, however, the idea of professional platonic touch exists in a far more complex cultural space. “Every time we get inquiries, many people assume it is a dating service,” says Amit Sinha, founder of Ko-Partner, a six-month-old Indian platform offering professional companionship services. “Cuddle therapy or paid touch may feel comforting temporarily,” she says, “but it becomes unhealthy when it turns into a habit. A simple online search for “cuddle therapy” reveals several Indian and international websites offering services under loosely defined terms.

Source: Indian Express February 16, 2026 20:40 UTC