I commented a few months ago to my therapist that he "stepped back" when I went to leave, and I wondered if he was creating safety for himself - being protective of any client's sudden urge to hug him or something. He was surprised and said no, he was leaving space for me to leave - kind of a polite "ladies first" reflex. I got the feeling he didn't even realize he was doing it. But it took me years to say something about it.

I think we all have a large variety of needs for physical space and/or closeness. Sometimes we aren't even aware of them.