For me, I don't think hugs replace words as my T and I are both very verbal. I think they make concrete the abstractness of words and feelings. My T and I share reciprocal hugs. They are definitely not something only he gives to me or I only give to him--it's always mutual. Originally my T initiated them, as I didn't know that therapists and clients hugged each other so it wouldn't have occurred to me to initiate. Now we're pretty much in tune and initiate simultaneously.

I think if our hugs could speak, they would be saying something like, "hmmmm, we're close."

This is interesting because the words did come first for me and my T. I never thought about hugging until we did. Before that happened, we had already used words to express what the hugs are a physical representation of (our closeness, our bond, our emotional intimacy). So, yes, I think it may be helpful to use your words first, then move on to the physical. I wonder now if perhaps it was deliberate that my T didn't hug me until we had reached that level of closeness and communication with words? ECHOES, I think it is great you want to get there with words first.