Unique Career: Cuddle Therapist Earns Big by Offering Emotional Support

In an unusual career choice, Kristiina Link, a 30-year-old from East London, has turned cuddling into a lucrative profession. Charging £170 for three-hour sessions, she offers emotional support to those in distress. After a breakup led her to explore this path, Kristiina now helps clients combat loneliness and anxiety through physical comfort. Her sessions begin with soothing music and include hand-holding and cuddling, all while maintaining clear boundaries. With the support of her boyfriend, Kristiina navigates the misconceptions surrounding her job, focusing solely on mental well-being.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 27, 2026, 18:50 IST

A Unique Way to Earn Money

People engage in various jobs to earn a living, some of which are quite unusual yet lucrative. Take Kristiina Link, a 30-year-old resident of Stratford in East London, for example. Kristiina provides comfort to distressed individuals by hugging them and even sleeping beside them. This part-time job allows her to earn a substantial income each month.

Charges for Cuddle Therapy

For her 'cuddle therapy' sessions, Kristiina charges £170 (approximately ₹17,000) for three hours. Her therapy includes holding hands, stroking hair, and cuddling while sleeping. Typically, she charges around ₹6,500 for a one-hour session but offers a 25% discount for three-hour bookings. She does not conduct sessions longer than three hours, yet this unique job brings her a significant monthly income.

How She Started This Unique Job

Kristiina identifies herself as a cuddle therapist, aiming to provide emotional support and mental relief to her clients. She began this unconventional profession after experiencing a breakup in 2019. Following her heartbreak and feelings of loneliness, she undertook a snuggling training course, which has now become her career.

Sessions Begin with Soothing Music

Kristiina helps those who feel a lack of love and connection by hugging them to alleviate their stress. Hugging releases oxytocin, the love hormone, which combats loneliness and anxiety. She starts her sessions by playing calming music, then cuddles with her clients on a double bed.

Boundaries in Therapy

During the sessions, Kristiina holds her clients' hands, strokes their hair, and ensures they feel comfortable. She changes her sleeping position every 15 minutes. However, there are boundaries in her therapy; she focuses solely on providing emotional support and ensures that her clients do not misinterpret the physical contact. Kristiina also discusses with her clients how much hugging and touching they are comfortable with, as some may initially feel uneasy about the physical closeness.

Support from Her Boyfriend

Currently, Kristiina is in a relationship with a boyfriend who has no issues with her profession. He understands her professional needs. Kristiina mentions that people often form misconceptions about her work, but she emphasizes that her goal is solely to assist individuals mentally.