I've given my T lots of little gifts over the years...usually something small that is significant or meaningful in our relationship. He accepts gifts, and the WAY he accepts them is perfect. He makes everything I give him seem like an absolute treasure. I kind of love it.

I can't remember if I asked before I brought him the first gift. Considering how shy I was early in therapy, I can't believe I even brought him anything!

It seems to me like maybe it would feel better to ask and hear "no" than to try to hand her something and be told "no". For me, gifts feel like a little bit of myself, and it would be hard to have it rejected, even if I understood it was a policy. If I was unsure, I really think I'd ask first. Even something like "have any of your clients ever brought you a gift?".