Comfort Couch Service
Sometimes, you just want someone to hold on to, or someone to hold you. Sometimes you just want to tell someone what's stressing you out. Sometimes, you might even want to tell someone how happy you are about having accomplished something in your life.
For these times, I offer the Comfort Couch as a service to you. You and I sit together (or apart) on this couch when you need something like this.
For these times, I offer the Comfort Couch as a service to you. You and I sit together (or apart) on this couch when you need something like this.
Is this like a therapy session?
Sort of. Like a therapy session, you come to a specific location, at a pre arranged time, sit with one other person (me) for a given amount of time, and pay something for the time. Also, like a therapy session, you can 'unload' a variety of emotions, and what you say or do here (even the fact that you came here at all) is kept in complete confidence by me - I will tell no one.*
The room is about the size of a modest living room and has some other furniture. It is kept heated in the colder months, and air conditioning is available when it gets too hot. There are windows, but they can remain closed if necessary, to help maintain confidence. There is a clean bathroom and fresh drinking water available, as well as tissues.
Although I offer this service with compensation at an hourly rate, the amount of time we spend is flexible, depending on our scheduling limitations (see the Details section, below)
The room is about the size of a modest living room and has some other furniture. It is kept heated in the colder months, and air conditioning is available when it gets too hot. There are windows, but they can remain closed if necessary, to help maintain confidence. There is a clean bathroom and fresh drinking water available, as well as tissues.
Although I offer this service with compensation at an hourly rate, the amount of time we spend is flexible, depending on our scheduling limitations (see the Details section, below)
How is this not like a therapy session?
First of all, I hold a B.A. (liberal arts college degree) but it's not specifically for psychiatry, psychology, or education. I do not promise to 'cure' you of anything, and I am not here to promote any particular theory or practice of psychotherapy, religion, spirituality, etc. I am not a psychiatrist and I do not prescribe or administer any drugs. Your purpose here is open ended; there doesn't have to be any specific goal when you come here, although you might have a goal for yourself if you wish. Second of all, you can ask to touch me or have me touch you. This specifically does not include any sexual contact (although it's ok to discuss matters dealing with sex or gender), and we will both keep our clothes on at all times. If you want to exert physical energy, you can grab or hit the couch (as you can see, the couch has already experienced some of this!), or grab or hit pillows or cushions. At some point, I may tell you that you are loved or that I love you (I love everyone, inherently), and you are welcome to express similar sentiments (or even ask that I not say that).
Are there any rules or policies?
Yes, there are. I'd like to be as flexible as possible, but there are some things that you should know or that I require.
*First of all, if you come here and it seems clear to me that you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, although I'm not a 'mandated reporter,' I will likely contact someone to help you in ways that I may not be able to, including medical professionals or the police. This is one reason that I would need to 'break confidence' and reveal what I deem necessary to protect you and others from harm. The only other reason I might break confidence is if there was a court order that compelled me to do so, under law.
Next, I do not permit the use of recreational drugs, including alcohol, here. If it seems that you are mentally impaired by any drugs, or I believe that our session has become detrimental to either of us, or for any other reason, I may elect to stop our session and ask you leave. If you are taking any medications that could affect our session in any way, I ask that you inform me before we schedule any time together.
I ask that you arrive relatively clean, in good physical health, and free of very strong scents or odors (I don't want to have to shampoo the couch between sessions!). However, I am not allergic to most scents, so anything mild is ok. If you are sick with anything contagious, please wait until you are no longer contagious before arriving for a session.
*First of all, if you come here and it seems clear to me that you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, although I'm not a 'mandated reporter,' I will likely contact someone to help you in ways that I may not be able to, including medical professionals or the police. This is one reason that I would need to 'break confidence' and reveal what I deem necessary to protect you and others from harm. The only other reason I might break confidence is if there was a court order that compelled me to do so, under law.
Next, I do not permit the use of recreational drugs, including alcohol, here. If it seems that you are mentally impaired by any drugs, or I believe that our session has become detrimental to either of us, or for any other reason, I may elect to stop our session and ask you leave. If you are taking any medications that could affect our session in any way, I ask that you inform me before we schedule any time together.
I ask that you arrive relatively clean, in good physical health, and free of very strong scents or odors (I don't want to have to shampoo the couch between sessions!). However, I am not allergic to most scents, so anything mild is ok. If you are sick with anything contagious, please wait until you are no longer contagious before arriving for a session.
Is this open to everyone?
Yes, as long as you are willing to abide by the above rules and policies. You may attend a Comfort Couch session regardless or your sex, gender identity, affinity, race, religion, or ability.
At this time, I regret that the room where my couch sits requires that you ascend two flights of stairs, so not everyone may be able to use this service at this location (see details below). I do not know sign language, and I only speak american english. You may bring an interpreter with you, but I do not offer interpreter services. It's ok to just have a session on the couch where we communicate by simple gestures.
If you are under 18, you must have a parent or guardian (or an adult designated by them) here with you at all times. If you wish to say something in confidence, I have earplugs, headphones, music, etc., that they can use to obscure the sound of our voices, but for everyone's protection and well being, we must be within the sight of your parent or guardian at all times.
In the past, cats have lived in this house, and although it has been thoroughly cleaned since then, if you have a severe allergy to cats, you may want to take precautions.
At this time, I regret that the room where my couch sits requires that you ascend two flights of stairs, so not everyone may be able to use this service at this location (see details below). I do not know sign language, and I only speak american english. You may bring an interpreter with you, but I do not offer interpreter services. It's ok to just have a session on the couch where we communicate by simple gestures.
If you are under 18, you must have a parent or guardian (or an adult designated by them) here with you at all times. If you wish to say something in confidence, I have earplugs, headphones, music, etc., that they can use to obscure the sound of our voices, but for everyone's protection and well being, we must be within the sight of your parent or guardian at all times.
In the past, cats have lived in this house, and although it has been thoroughly cleaned since then, if you have a severe allergy to cats, you may want to take precautions.
Who are you, offering this service?
I was born in 1950 as a male. I'm about 6 feet tall, with a relatively thin build (see photo on the 'about' page). I have had extensive experience in peer counseling (where people exchange time listening to and helping each other through emotional work) as well as familiarity with 12 step groups. I have participated in a variety of workshops and retreats related to emotional support, intimacy, spirituality, sexuality, and love.
My gender identity is not exclusively male identified, but somewhere along the spectrum between male and female. My gender presentation is typically male, and I use male pronouns, such as he, him, his, etc. but I can also present as more gender queer. When scheduling a session, we can discuss my presentation, and I may be able to adjust my presentation somewhat if you wish. In the future, I may arrange to have Comfort Couch sessions hosted by someone born female, but at this time, I am the only one offering this service here.
My gender identity is not exclusively male identified, but somewhere along the spectrum between male and female. My gender presentation is typically male, and I use male pronouns, such as he, him, his, etc. but I can also present as more gender queer. When scheduling a session, we can discuss my presentation, and I may be able to adjust my presentation somewhat if you wish. In the future, I may arrange to have Comfort Couch sessions hosted by someone born female, but at this time, I am the only one offering this service here.
Why are you offering this service?
I firmly believe that a sense of emotional well being, as well as feeling loved, comforted, accepted are essential elements to maintaining good health. I know that this is true for me and I can see that it is true of many other people. Although I cannot necessarily provide all the love, comfort, and acceptance that you might need, at least I may be able to provide some. I appreciate these things with a minimum of structure, expectations, or requirements, and I know that there are others who feel a similarly. After years of comforting other people (sometimes on my couch, sometimes on theirs) I find that I have been pretty good at it and feedback from others has been positive, overall.
Details
I offer Comfort Couch sessions in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA. I can give you the specific address once we set up a session. I can also offer Comfort Couch sessions elsewhere, although in that case the amount of privacy and freedom from distraction afforded to us will depend on the location. I would like to receive $60 per hour as compensation, but I intend to set up an informal 'scholarship' fund to receive and then use donations to help those who cannot afford to pay that much. If you want more or less time than that, I'd like to receive $20 for each twenty minutes of time. In the future, I may decide to change these amounts. If I do, I'll update this web page to reflect that.
I would love to offer this service for no cost, but as I have limited financial resources, I need to receive at least something in the way of compensation to cover my expenses. Although I am open to an exchange (barter) for other services, my ability to do that is limited.
To arrange for a session, please go to the "Contact" page here on this web site (see navigation bar, above) and make your request using the form there. If you provide a telephone number, I can call or text you back, if you prefer. Otherwise, I will reply by return Email.
I would love to offer this service for no cost, but as I have limited financial resources, I need to receive at least something in the way of compensation to cover my expenses. Although I am open to an exchange (barter) for other services, my ability to do that is limited.
To arrange for a session, please go to the "Contact" page here on this web site (see navigation bar, above) and make your request using the form there. If you provide a telephone number, I can call or text you back, if you prefer. Otherwise, I will reply by return Email.