For me, I think being physically comforted while I was crying would get in the way of what I was trying to express. Crying is often a sign that I'm thinking/talking about something deep and painful, and when I'm in therapy, I usually want to stay in the moment to see where it takes me. It's different from when I'm upset about something in my everyday life. Like if I'm crying in front of my partner, I do want physical comfort, usually as a way to lessen the intensity of my emotions. My T has occasionally talked about the "therapeutic holding environment," which I didn't really understand at first but sort of do now. I've definitely had the experience of leaving her office feeling like I've been "held" even though she hasn't touched me.