I think that when a T cries or tears up it needn't mean they have been triggered. Maybe sometimes, but most times I suspect it is an expression of empathy and a sign that they are connected to the client. When I began therapy, I was very reserved and shy about crying. In fact, I had a phobia about people seeing me cry! Plus, I cry easily. What an uncomfortable combination. T helped me see that there need not be shame in crying, and who cares what other people think about my sadness, and that crying is really not a bad thing, which I guess I thought it was because I was so ashamed someone might see my tears. Sadness and crying are very natural, and crying is an expected response to feeling sad. My T is one of those who has teared up multiple times in our sessions. That has helped model for me that it is OK to cry in front of someone. I work in a hospital and there are times I have teared up with patients. I definitely was not triggered, just showing empathy. It's not really controllable on my part. I think therapy helped me be able to do this and not run from my feelings. I can envision myself in the past probably pulling back from the patient if I felt sad and breaking our connection, walking off with some excuse or other, leaving the patient feeling alone, rejected, abandoned, whatever... If the patient feels uneasy about a provider's tears, maybe they can grow more accustomed to tears and sadness if present with someone who allows those feelings. I have not had bad reactions from patients. Sometimes it helps them begin to release their own sadness. Tigergirl, I do agree with what you wrote about how it is the T's role to take care of their sadness. So clients need not feel they must take care of the therapist with tears in her eyes, feel bad, think they have triggered shameful behavior, etc.