Brilliant, I am sorry that you were put into this situation. It is not right for a T to do this. A T has an obligation to establish and maintain a safe place for the client.

My T does give me a safe hug at the end of our sessions. We do not hold hands, and I would not be comfortable with that level of contact. I know my T would not even suggest that for me. But I have heard of that and do believe that it can be healing in the proper context. I do not see where massaging should ever enter into this type of therapy.

For me, the hug is very healing - because it is extra safe. Everything about the way he hugs me is respectful and professional. I do know of some male t's who do not hug at all, and I can't blame them. I would worry about any T who initiates physical contact with a client without the client expressly being able to use the physical contact as a direct tool for healing.