First, I don't think a T should ever initiate or ask a client for touch/hugs. It's okay for a T to let a client know that they feel comfortable using touch in therapy-- that it's a tool that is on the table-- but I don't think it's acceptable for a T to say: "Can I have a hug?" That makes it about the T's needs, rather than the client's. The client should be the one to express the desire for appropriate touch-- and then the T should determine whether or not they think it would be therapeutic. In a T-client relationship where they hug every week, it's okay for the T to say "Do you want your hug this week?" if a client doesn't initiate, but I don't think the first request should ever come from the T.

The second problem I see with this is the client's erotic transference. While I think touch can be beneficial for many clients, I do not think it's appropriate when erotic transference is involved. Touch absolutely can reinforce the transference and give the client false hope that something could "happen." Moreover, the platonic hug can "feel" sexual to the client, even if that is not what the T intends. When clients are dealing with erotic transference, I think touch can be more damaging than helpful. I think it's up to the T to use healthy boundaries-- and talk therapy-- to help the client understand the reality of the relationship and work through the transference.