Therapeutic. I'm a male. I'm one of five brothers. When two of us would fight, my mom (a single mother) gave the two of us a "whoopin'" then made us hug and kiss ("A-frame" hug and a smooch) to make up--tears buggers and all. Almost invariably my T's are male and P's are either gender. While some reason might occur, I've never experienced a moment in therapy that I desired to hug a T or a P of any gender. To me hugs are like handshakes for close females and long lost best buds--hugs are greetings. A light rub, pat and easy shove (softer than one would a child on training wheels) to the back urges one on his or her way at session's end. Voilá, client back in the game.