Is it normal for therapists to show lots of affection towards clients?

Nice observation. This might just be ham-fisted attempts at connection.

I had a pdoc appointment the day after my birthday and he wished me a happy birthday. I don't see that as unusual since they often have that info in your file. The hug on he other hand is a little different, although it always depends on the context. If it felt uncomfortable to you, that indicates to me that something was inappropriate.

I haven't had a T who showed affection towards me. Not when I was 16 and not now at 26. My current T did remember my birthday last year. But other from that, T's have always acted like (bad) T's. I wish they would show some, it would make them a little bit more ''human'' to me.

Realized I never actually answered the question--No, I would not consider my T affectionate except possibly in the most impersonal way. He's never said anything about favorites, does not remember my b-day (hell, I'm not sure he remembers my name until he looks at his notes!) and even thinking about him moving in for a hug makes me want to give him a preemptive kick in the shin.

D.rose- how do you actually feel about your therapist? I wonder why you are asking questions about what other therapists do instead of explaining outright your own feelings about your own experience in therapy. Maybe we could be more helpful if we have a little more understanding of what actually is going on with your therapist.

Like I said I'm not quite sure what to make of her actions. If you're referring to the other threads I've started, they were more just conversation starters than me trying to compare info to my T. For now things with her are kind of choppy, but if things continue to get weirder down the road I will most definitely post a new thread detailing the whole story.