This boards gave me hope that I could ask my therapists for a hug and a transitional object.

My first clinical psych was uncertain if hugs were appropriate so she took it to supervision and eventually allowed hugs though she said not to tell anyone. She also didn't do transitional objects (I asked if she would "charge up" one of my favourite, unique marbles...) because she felt it'd foster dependency. She was quite a strict CBT therapist. She later assessed I needed schema therapy and CBT was not suitable for the extent and chronic nature of my problems.

Later I was transferred to current T who does schema therapy, ACT and DBT. After reading here, I eventually dared to ask about hugs and after a discussion about why I felt I needed hugs (I felt "I'm too disgusting to touch"), I now hug T after each session. I also asked for outside contact after reading these boards and T and I decided I can message within stipulated limits and she won't reply.

I also worked up the courage to ask for a transitional object (a note from T) and have also been given small gifts from T like a humorous paper bag and (because I asked) a card with therapy things written on it by her.

I do go on here a lot since I'm an office worker and am on the Tapatalk app. I also don't have people offline to talk about attachment to therapists, and various therapy things so I find these boards helpful.