Thank you for this. Years ago when my son was in rehab, we had group family therapy and we were asked to not comfort (touch, etc) another group member because it would distract them from what they were in the midst of, something very important that needed to be let out.

My T does allow drinks, though. Though I rarely take one in, it would go on the small table where the kleenex sits. She doesn't offer me kleenex, but once did move the box back to the table because it had been moved away from the table during the session before mine, I suppose.

Your post also is making me think about my wanting comfort. Comfort IS a distraction and it's why it feels good to receive; the person offering the comfort provides relief and distraction, so I don't have to feel so much. So, I think that wanting comfort is yet another way I resist or attempt to resist in therapy. Wanting comfort becomes a point of stop-thinking. Wanting comfort stops me from exploring some things because I tell myself that there would be no comfort, so why even go there.