Cuddling against loneliness: This is how Hamburg's therapy expert fights!

In Hamburg, Alexandra Ueberschär, as a cuddle therapist, offers a special type of support for people who suffer from loneliness or psychological problems. Cuddling therapy focuses on interpersonal closeness and deliberately avoids sexual contact. Your practice is equipped with softly padded surfaces and cushions to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Ueberschär, who is a trained nurse and has completed further training as a multilevel system coach, notes that conversations are often not enough to provide emotional help. Therefore, before each cuddling session, a therapeutic conversation takes place to understand the causes of loneliness and the lack of touch. Many clients bring with them experiences of separation or abuse, which allows the therapy to be tailored to the individual.

The meaning of touch

The number of sessions required varies greatly; In acute phases of grief, improvement can occur after just a few sessions, while long-term problems such as trauma or persistent loneliness may require a longer therapy process. It should be noted that the costs of the treatment must be borne privately, as health insurance companies do not offer coverage. Awareness of loneliness and lack of contact has increased, especially during the corona pandemic.

Dr. Tobias Heinrich, a psychological psychotherapist in Hamburg, confirms that a lack of touch is common in big cities. Scientific research also examines the physical reaction to touch: the focus is on the hormone oxytocin, which is activated by touch. The intensity of touch in cuddle therapy can vary depending on the patient, from simple hand holding to hugs. Ueberschär hopes that her clients will build self-confidence through cuddling so that they can also feel closeness in other social contexts.

Health consequences of lack of touch

Touch deficiency is a serious problem because it is often difficult to detect but affects many people. As reported on the Kuschelpraxis website, regular, pleasant touches are essential for a stable hormonal balance. A lack of touch leads to low oxytocin and increased cortisol, which leads to loneliness and stress.

An American meta-study shows that lack of touch can cause health damage comparable to the consequences of alcohol and nicotine abuse as well as obesity and lack of exercise. It can have a negative impact on physical and mental health and significantly increase the risk of anxiety disorders and depressive moods. Experts such as haptics researcher Martin Grundwald point out that a lack of touch can promote mental illness. In this context, cuddle therapy is often recommended as a first measure to counteract a lack of touch, as it usually has no side effects and can be used in addition to other treatments.