My T "doesn't do hugs" (he shared that in first session), but he does shake hands at the end of session. I know that may sound businesslike to some, but I like it (MC does that, too). It's some sort of human contact, and his handshakes seems very warm (or maybe his hands just tend to be warm!)

Ex-T hugged, but I only learned she did that after seeing her a couple years when I made an offhanded comment about a post here and said something about "and I get the sense you don't hug." Then she said she did hug some clients. The next session, I got the courage to ask why she didn't hug me. And she said it was because I had some maternal transference. It hurt, and I felt like I was being punished for that. Eventually, she started touching me on the shoulder as I left, and then after a rough session, she offered a hug, which I accepted. But then it felt like I had to have a legitimate reason to ask for a hug, like they weren't every session. And I was afraid of asking too often, like they might get taken away. So we hugged maybe once a month, sometimes two sessions in a row, sometimes not for 6 sessions.

I feel it's better if a T is consistent. Like, hug (or offer one) every session, or don't. Shake hands every session or don't. Otherwise, it's like 'Wait, I got a hug last week, am I not good enough (or upset enough or whatever) this week to get one?" Or, "Am I asking for too many hugs?" Also in having the same rules for all clients. Like either you allow hugs or handshakes or don't. Not some clients it's OK, some it isn't (of course some won't want it--I just mean to either consistently allow it or don't).