About

ABOUT ME

I offer services for groups, individuals, and couples

I am Shawn, the driving force behind Touchpoints: Cuddles and Community. This company was formed to support people in relaxing, connecting with others, and living a more gratifying life. I do that by offering transformational cuddle sessions, connection workshops, and coaching videos that allow participants to see themselves and their world in a new way. Ask me about my cuddle resume. I am incredibly well trained and I am proud of it. 

Who I am

I am passionate about cuddling and connection and it shows. :) Consent focused workshops & events have had a profound impact on my life. I feel honored whenever I can help others find their no, better articulate their platonic desires, or connect deeply with a new person. With more than 10 years of experience in this field, I know what cuddling, consent, and connection is all about and I'm ready to help you relax into this practice and maybe even my arms. :) 

Cuddle Sessions and Connection Workshops

 Because authenticity is at the core of what I do, all sessions and events are substance free unless otherwise noted. Additionally, as a queer person of color, I create spaces that are supportive and affirming of underrepresented individuals.

Every person is unique, so all sessions are unique. Before yours, we would discuss your preferences/ the reasons that you are seeking the service. That will help me to create the right setting for you. During your session, we will check in to make sure you are getting the type of touch that suits you. I will be looking for enthusiastic yeses. 

Many people enjoy connection events either instead of or as a compliment to individual sessions. My regular events are group cuddles and How to Fall in Love in 36 Q's or Less Events. Both provide a sweet way for folx to connect, share, and get to know each other really well. Use the contact us section to schedule cuddle sessions or click below to check out upcoming events. 

Check out an Event!

Check out some of my interviews!

I most recently appeared in "The Art of Cuddling" article on the Shondaland site. Check out the article for a rich discussion of best cuddling practices, how to take things slow, and the importantance of mirroring, a great technique used by Jean Franzblau of Cuddle Sanctuary. 

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed live on The Jam TV Show in Chicago. I had a blast snuggling up to their team and discussing different ways to cuddle and the benefits of cuddling up. Check out the video below. 

Diversity & Inclusion

Because most spaces are not comfortable for people in underrepresented groups, I prioritize the comfort and well-being of these individuals.  Many of my events are created as safer spaces for members of underrepresented groups, so that we can have the opportunity to relax a bit deeper. 


Acceptance

I strongly believe that you are beautiful and worthy of acceptance. For this reason, I encourage an environment of mutual respect, appreciation, and vulnerability. 


I hope that this can be a place where you can show all of yourself and in doing so, find that you are not alone. We are all a bit quirky and we all do things that we think nobody else does. I hope that you find your community here and more fully find yourself. 


Consent & Boundaries

Every individual has the right to say what happens or doesn't happen with their body. Additionally, we all get to choose what we will not tolerate for ourselves. This is a place where we honor our yeses and our no's and graciously honor the yeses and no's of others. 

Longevity

I was one of the first certified professional cuddlers in the nation and one of the first cuddle event facilitators in the Midwest. I have been committed to this cuddle movement since Spring 2013, and I remain committed to its growth and development. 

Cuddle Mentorship Trained

I trained under Madelon Guinazzo, Cuddlist co-founder and Cuddle Party Board of Directors Member, for 18 months. I also received personal feedback and advice from, Marcia Baczynski, co-founder of Cuddle Party. 

Cuddlist Certified

I completed the National Cuddlist Certification process under Madelon Guinazzo and the International Cuddle Party Foundations of Facilitation Training with Marcia Baczynski, co-founder of Cuddle Party. 

Events

225

Cities

5

Staff

1

Years

8

" When I first started going to these events, I was super shy & quiet. I would like to say that I'm still pretty quiet, and I'm still pretty shy. The difference in me is not in who I am, but in how I feel about it. Being in an environment so welcoming of the nuances of everyone's personal boundaries and modes of expression was awakening. It creates a culture that is one of intrinsic acceptance... I came first to the 36 Q's events, and soon pushed my comfort zone into the realm of the cuddle up event, where I found myself, much to myown surprise, hanging out with wonderful individuals and, quite comfortably, electing not to cuddle at all! I was empowered & vulnerable simultaneously in my 'no,' unaccustomed to such an easy & welcome acceptance & respect of its expression... In this space, I learned how to express & enforce my 'no' outside of this space. I also made so many friends that I have lost count; I connected to a community. I am forever grateful for these events. Thank you.”
Sage, Long Term Event Participant
“I've honestly been in a bit of a funk emotionally & Shawn was attentive, open, supportive, caring, kind, and above all else in the moment with me. I had no idea how important that last part was until I was in that moment too. 

I felt  stress melt off, my heart beat slow, and a tension left my body I didn't know I had that I can only equate to a clenched fist we all walk around with to function. I was able for the first time in however long to unclench & breathe easier. Miracles were worked & I am eternally grateful. 

If you haven't had a session ever or heaven forbid a bad or uneventful one, please go to Shawn. Please & do it soon. You won't regret it.”
Zeb, Cuddle Client
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