Regarding this part, I was trying to find a thread before I post this but I can't...but I remember somebody was mentioning something similar (therapist stroking their hair and a close hug, almost like a parent comforting a crying child) but don't recall anybody see it as inappropriate sexual contact, but in fact some admired that level of care and concern from the therapist. I think the only difference was that it was a female therapist.

So just to be clear, is stroking the hair of a crying patient always an ethical violation and punishable by law? And how long a hug is allowed? What about touching or rubbing, like if someone is crying and inconsolable and the therapist goes and sits next to them and rubs one of their shoulders while they cry, is that an ethical violation and punishable by law? And is that true of all forms of therapy?