Posted by alexandra_k on August 31, 2004, at 20:07:44
In reply to Hugging and different schools of thought., posted by Skittles on August 31, 2004, at 1:20:09
I think it may come down to personal preference. Some clinicians may not be comfortable with it, in general, or with respect to a particular client. A lot of clinicians are probably a bit fearful they will be sued, especially male clinicians with female clients. Some have ideas about it being okay if the door is open, or it being okay if it is in the hallway or somewhere where there are witnesses. I wouldn't like to be hugged by a male clinician (well, perhaps I would but I don't think it would be good for me at all). I have been wanting to ask my female T for a hug, but I am a bit too afraid to. I have only hugged one clinician before, and that was in our last session together before she left the service. She said, 'do you want a hug'? But I don't think she expected me to want one, and she seemed a lot suprised when I gave her one. Maybe it is because I have issues with eye contact, maybe this is a bit bizzare, but to me eye contact is more intimate than a hug. But then, depends how you hug I suppose.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:384482
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040828/msgs/384985.html