Why does your T hug you?

What is her motivation for hugging you?

The first one I ever saw, a good number of years ago, hugged clients. I don't know why.
The one I see now has assured me she will not touch me.

"I may not approve of some of your actions, but I still like you and won´t punish or leave you.! "I can see behind it all and want to validate you, even though I don´t agree with you" ...That sort of thing...and just plain old bounding for buildning trust

I don't think that a Therapist should ever touch you unless you want them to.

Mine doesn't hug me but I don't want him to.

Every session is a touch. They know us more and more each session.

I'm not actually sure.

I've never been hugged, but did receive a handshake. That was early on in our relationship when I wouldn't see my T for a few months over the summer, as a sort of it was a pleasure meeting and working with you thing.

She gives one whenever I ask, and a couple times I didn't. When I ask for a hug, it's because I'm feeling sad or hopeless or lonely. Once it was to congratulate me for believing in myself. She's sent me a hug without being asked a couple times (we do online therapy, so they're virtual) because she wanted to tell me she cared about me and to say "hang in there" I think.

Because the client asks for them? I think a hug can be healing to some ppl...

My T doesn't hug me- I don't mind being hugged by friends/close family, I'd not like to be hugged by my T though- I like him, we know each other for 7 yrs now (twice a week sessions) but still this RS is too one sided for a hug. Afterall, T is quite a stranger to me.

Mine started hugging me as a way to help me get grounded before I leave. It also seems like reassurance that he does not find me horrifying and nothing I tell him can change that.

It's not really very professional, but as a personal gesture could be ok in some circumstances.

Why do you say that, I actually think it is very professional (almost an essential part of the job).

The one I see did try handshaking a couple of times at the beginning but I don't know why she did that either. I got her to stop.

My first T ended every session with a hug. It was quite helpful and supportive and very appropriate. It was a "just so you know someone care about you" hug I guess.

My current T has hugged me on a few occasions, although it isn't a regular occurrence. The reasons have varied from simple compassion for what was going on with me to rejoicing for progress I've made. Again, quite appropriate and supportive.

Exactly I think that hugs shouldn't happen every session, but when the conditions are right for them.

When my t hugs me it is more for her then for me. I can feel that she needs it more then I do because when I am goiing through a hard time or had a rough session she doesn't hug.

I miss my Ts hugs... Its been almost a year since i went to visit her
She hugs me because she loves me, because we are both very affectionate with people, because she has a big heart, because sometimes i need grounding or comforting.

I think it's a beauty issue.
I remember that every person came out when I was going in, that was good looking, received a hug when they left my former therapists office.
Also as I was leaving, she would hug attractive people that came in after me.
I'm am a typical ugly person.
In the same scenarios, she withdrew from the unattractive people.
Speaking only for myself, as an ugly person, I notice every single time a beautiful person withdraws from me.
So, message to all the "Hug Candy" dispensing beautiful therapists...
Don't worry I know better than to get my hopes up for those out of my league hugs.
Thanks for the tormenting reminder of my lot in life.
So, why do therapists hug? Because, it's a message that says you're beautiful.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
I hate this subject because of how humiliating it has been for 46 years to avoid all the mirrors of this world only to find one mirror after another when others avoid me.
Please, dont click the hug button for me. It's an insult to my soul.

They shouldn't be able to do that, if a Therapist does hug then they should hug whoever asks to be hugged.

I never heard any of those patients ask for a hug from her. Not one.
For me to ask would make me feel like she was going out of her way and humoring me.
She taught me never to reach for something like that.
During that 3 years, it wasn't too much on my mind, but every once in a while I would become jealous but quickly reminded myself of the reality of my level of worthiness in relation to the world around me.
I let it become a reality check for my life.
I never brought it up.

This happened at home school workplaces etc...
Therapy is just another place it happened.

WOW than maybe she shouldn't even be a Therapist.

I have even seen that before that I never think Therapists should try and initate a hug (since they don't know how their clients will react).

I honestly do not believe it's to do with perceived attractiveness. How do you know that all those people getting hugs didn't ask for one? Maybe your therapist waits to be asked for a hug. Maybe the people you have seen hugging just have a really good rapport with her and are open to touch, maybe she thinks you don't want that, maybe you give off that vibe that it would not be welcomed.... there's a million reasons why she hasn't hugged you and the very last one i believe would be to do with your looks.

I wish mine would hug me sometimes. Or even let me rest my head on his shoulder. i don't have romantic transference or anything, but it would just be so validating...but I'm sure he won't and I would never ask.

I really don't know. I've alternated between:

1) It's a test.
2) She's just a huggy person.
3) She likes me and wants me to feel loved.
4) No clue.