[Loco4]

I'm not an affectionate person and usually I am uncomfortable with touch. Lately T and I have been doing inner child work.

Suddenly, I have this huge desire for a hug. The last two session when I've stood up to leave I've felt like a hug.

Just curious to see how many Ts actually give hugs.

[ScarletPimpernel]

My T gives me a hug after every session. I told her from the start that at one point I will want hugs. Once I was ready, I asked, and we've hugged after every session since.

[Out There]

No , although at one point he did ( but not with me)

[Luce]

My nice t did. she still would if I could see her. but we live far far away.

[healed84]

He has never hugged me, nor have we talked about it. So, I am really not sure what his stance is.

No and I am actually repulsed by the idea of hugging him. Gross.

[iheartjacques]

No. none have

Yes, all have, but it wasn't something I had to ask for or even needed to ask for. We were just mutually huggy people I guess. One hugged me at the end of every session. One at the beginning of each session. One every now and then. All of the above were fine with me. I probably would have been fine if they didn't. I have plenty of sources of hugs in my life; getting one from a therapist isn't something that is that important to me.

[itjustis]

My T gives hugs. I gave her one today because she got some good news and I am so happy for her.

[ThisWayOut]

I'm not comfortable with it often, but t has hugged me a few times after a particularly rough session, or when we were not going to see each other four a while because I was moving.
Most of my t's didn't hug often, but did at really emotional times or at the end of working together.

[Sarmas]

I'm not sure but definitely never with me. It could also because she labeled me with bpd. Im not sure.

[crazykarmatalk]

My previous therapist yes, this one hasn't yet but I think it would be fine if I wanted to. Thought it might have been against the "rules" but it's not. It's pretty personal in there so it usually helps, if you like to be touched.

[rainbow8]

My previous 4 Ts never offered hugs. One actually told me she wouldn't hug me because I had BPD. My current T doesn't believe in labels. She told me in the beginning that she hugs her clients. I wasn't used to hugging and it was awkward at first, but we have hugged after every session for 6 years now! It's not awkward anymore.

[SoConfused623]

I don't think that my T and I ever shook hands when we met, and there are definitely no hugs!

[bounceback]

All of mine I ever had have given me hugs except one whom I only saw for about a year.

[critterlady]

Mine will, but only if I ask. He never initiates touch.

[stopdog]

The woman first told me she did not touch clients (this was in response to my concern that she might touch me - which I do not want) but then she has told me about hugging clients - so I have no idea. As long as she stays far away from me, it doesn't matter to me what she does with other clients.

[junkDNA]

Current T hugs me. He will ask if I want one or I will ask him for one. It's not every time we meet though.

Former T and I never touched in any way until he confessed his sexual attraction for me. It was sparked by me asking for a hug! I guess he saw that as his Avenue to exploit me...

[Argonautomobile]

My T is very good about staying an arm's length away. We've never even shaken hands in 1.5+ years. I hope your T can offer it, if it's something that will help you.

[ruh roh]

It hasn't come up. I have no idea if she does that sort of thing or not.

It's strange to see comments here that a therapist won't hug someone if the person has been diagnosed with BPD. Why is that? It seems cruel.

[WrkNPrgress]

My T offered first, a few weeks into our first sessions. Ever since then, it's a regular thing. Anytime I ask or gesture to hug. She always waits for the invite, of course. Sometimes I don't want one. of course but it's usually accepted there will be a hug after the session.

Hugs are an interesting thing. I've never had any issues with touch and I would say that hugging has always been a form of expression for me. It's how I grew up. I often hug my friends and family and even coworkers, if they're okay with it.

[Argonautomobile]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

It hasn't come up. I have no idea if she does that sort of thing or not.

It's strange to see comments here that a therapist won't hug someone if the person has been diagnosed with BPD. Why is that? It seems cruel.

Here's a lovely little blurb that covers the way many professionals see treating BPD. It's called "You are One Borderline Away from Losing Your License"

http://www.zurinstitute.com/borderli...calupdate.html

Google "therapeutic touch BPD" for a wider swath of information about the topic.

Not to me, don't know about other clients, never asked. He did mention a couple times being interested in the power of therapeutic touch but no idea if he does anything like that with clients. I might want a goodbye hug at our last session (just like I sometimes do with close colleagues) but nothing else... not much of a hugger myself. I also think that touch with my current T might trigger me in the "wrong way" and I don't want to get into that.

[Unrigged64072835]

No. He just shakes my hand and pats me on the shoulder.

[musinglizzy]

I have three T's, two regular ones, one I call in when I need it. All three offer different approaches/benefits. And all three hug. I don't think I would see a T who wouldn't allow that. My bodywork T gives the best hugs I think I've ever had.....she's amazing (T3).