It seems that getting a hug is such a huge thing for most of us in therapy. I happen to be one of the lucky one who's therapist will give a hug to. I remember it took me a year to tell him that I would like a hug and then he told me that the reason he has never offered a hug was that he was protecting me. I told him thank you but I don't need protection I need a hug and then he said OK I'll give you a hug and HE DID! We hug after each session and he once told me that If I did not ask for a hug after each session he whould think something was wrong because it had become part of our ritual each session. I feel very comfortable with the end of session hug, I have never asked for a hug at any other time and doubt that I ever would again.
But it is so nice to know that he would hug me if I asked. He even gave me a little booklet about therapeudic hug! I thought it was so sweet of him. He told me that he had been and use to do workshops on therapeudic hug and that he felt comfortable with. I thought it was so cool and still do. I hate it for all of you guys who want hugs and don't get them but I certainly understand that it is a very personal decision on the part of the patient and the therapist.