Reborn doll therapy consulting
Why we exist
Dolls are often misunderstood. They are dismissed as curiosities or infantilized as toys. Yet for many people, they are powerful companions, memory-keepers, and therapeutic tools. Misconceptions can prevent professionals from seeing the potential of synthetic relationships. Elemental Figures exists to change that.
Our story
Like many people, our founder Dr. Emilie St-Hilaire didn’t know what to think upon discovering reborn dolls on YouTube in 2016. She wondered: Why are these women treating realistic dolls like babies? Do they believe that it is a real baby?
After years of research getting to know reborn doll communities Dr. St-Hilaire can safely say: No, they do not believe it is a real baby.
As for why this hobby is exploding in popularity — there are as many reasons for reborn doll enthusiasm as there are collectors.
Every doll owner has a unique story about their interest in these cuddle-able works of art.
Dr. St-Hilaire's work is reshaping the conversation. Her research into reborn doll communities revealed profound stories of care, creativity, coping, and resilience. Emotional bonds with dolls aren’t trivial — they are examples of synthetic relationships (she coined this term in 2019).
Synthetic relationships are defined by a connection with a lifelike but non-living figure that mirrors and expands our ways of relating. This emerging field also includes AI companions, an area of growing significance for therapists, researchers, and society at large.
The relationship is synthetic but the emotions are real.
What we do
Elemental Figures offers:
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Workshops for therapists and other care professionals who want clear, research-based insight into dolls, doll therapy and synthetic relationships.
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Consulting for cultural institutions, journalists, and creative professionals seeking accurate context and expert framing on dolls and synthetic relationships.
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Speaking & writing to demystify dolls, dispel myths, and invite deeper reflection on how humans build relationships with objects of care.
The journey
From academic publications to media interviews, Dr. St-Hilaire has become a recognized expert in the cultural and therapeutic significance of reborn dolls. Therapists have sought out her doctoral dissertation to better understand the experiences of clients who own these dolls.
Journalists frequently call on her to provide clear, nuanced context for wider audiences (NPR, The Guardian, CBC, Cosmopolitan, La Presse, and more).
For doll collectors themselves, Elemental Figures can offer an informed voice — whether navigating family conversations, entering the community, or simply seeking clarity or advice.
Elemental Figures grew out of this expertise — a bridge between scholarship, community insights, and professional services.
The future we imagine
Our vision is a world where dolls and other synthetic companions are understood as meaningful figures in the landscape of care, imagination, community and well-being.
By sharing research-driven insight, real-world examples, and a critical awareness of both benefits and limitations, we foster empathy, reduce stigma, and equip professionals and the public to engage with dolls in more informed, nuanced ways.