I think some therapists are uncomfortable with physical contact due to fears of allegations of inappropriate behavior. They probably were told to stay away from it during their training, in part due to the potential for lawsuits. Also, I think the different flavors of psychotherapy have different views on it, so again, the T's training probably influcences them a lot. I think for some clients and therapists it is right, and can be very healing. And for others, it would not be therapeutic. I think the T and the client need to get to know each other well before knowing if it is right for them. My T does hug me occasionally and it is very healing. He gives me the sort of hugs two close friends might share, that two humans might share. (I do not have erotic feelings for him or a desire for him to be my parent, so there is no confusion for me.)

Someone, I believe it was Mouse, posted a link here once, to a longish treatise on the borderline patient. I read through it all and one thing it mentioned was the use of touch. I remember especially it saying that if the T applies pressure with his hand to the inner thigh of the patient, this can be very therapeutic! I was kind of floored by that. I do not think I would like my T touching my inner thigh. But yet it's very therapeutic? I would like to read more about that sort of therapy, as it is beyond what I know. (This was only a very small part of the article and the use of touch was not a main point.)