OMG.....I am sorry! ((((((SAWE)))))) This makes me want to cry all over again, it hurts to think about!
But at least you got the handshake .......I get nothing, ever ever ever again, not even a pat on the shoulder or a handshake, which I would be delighted with.
The big deal, you know what it is?! It is called ethics......as my T said about the safety contract too. I may be in no true suicidal state but the contract is for HER protection too as much as mine, so that it is on record that she did the right thing and won't be ethically questioned about how she dealt with the situation if something did happen (which it won't)......and this no hug thing is just as much for HER protection too as mine. Except yes, giving and then taking away is a very harmful thing even if ethics can be (theoretically justifiably) placed on it as a reasonable explanation....being ethical is great, yes, but sometimes what is ethical is not necessarily what is in the client's best interests (ie, that taking away hugs may be ethical to do, but is it really right and helpful and in a client's best interests to take away something like that?! what is ethical is not always just or merciful or compassionate to do......)