It all kind of comes down to the motive of the therapist, doesn't it? If the therapist is showing attention, caring, acceptance to the client in order to help the client, then it is appropriate. Because at least for some people with low self-esteem finding someone that can actually accept the worst things about them, can be very healing. But if the therapist is doing it to gain love and adoration from the client, then it is manipulative. The problem is, how do you tell what someone else's motives are?