My T (from what she told current T) realized she had to build a solid relationship with attachment in order for me to open up. It took us a couple of years to bring up parts of my childhood I had never told ANYBODY before . We had discussed a lot of what I felt was safe. She hugged me after revealing some shameful information. I always felt disgusting and didn't want to be hugged by people (even though I enjoyed them) because I feared people finding out how disgusting I was. I now enjoy and welcome hugs for others.

That is not saying some therapists don't exploit clients. They do. However, I believe it is far from the norm.