I think this is all a pity. Dreamseeker's post was about a lovely session she had - a special session. Now, I know there are different views about whether physical contact between clients/patients and therapists is ethical or not - what is OK and what is not etc. etc. and I can see that some people would like to point out that in their opinion it's a warning sign if a therapist kisses a client... fine...

but it's really a pity that what started as a thread about a very special exchange between Dreamseeker and her T has been spoiled by the distraction of whether the kiss was acceptable or not. Maybe such a discussion can go elsewhere and in general terms so that Dreamseeker doesn't feel that her relationship with her T is at the centre of it. My feeling is that this relationship is a very special one - I don't get the impression Dreamseeker is in danger. Maybe to some such an action on the part of the T is a step too far (I would find it that way if my male therapist would do that - but if I had a female therapist, I doubt I would feel that way). I think the context is very important - it's New Year - also the special relationship that Dreamseeker has built up with her therapist over many sessions. If you read books by Yalom, for example, maybe you'd also come to the conclusion that he's a 'bad, unethical' therapist - maybe some people think he is (hugging patients, stroking his hand through the hair of a female patient, lying on a bed with a dying female patient, making unexpected home visits...) - however, many people look up to him as one of the very best therapists out there.

Two words - judgement and context - if the T is good, they will make a good judgement about what is and what is not appropriate within the conext, and if the relationship is good, then the client and therapist will be in a position to talk through how they feel about it, if any worries come up.

It's good people feel concern for Dreamseeker but why go and taint her lovely experience with her T and change the direction of the thread - isn't that not a pity?

Onzi