I am uneasy about hugging. It is a pretty overwhelming type of touching and seems to me to imply a very high level of commitment to processes in the client which might not be sufficiently understood at that time. It has its place, but I rather think it is a minor one.
On the other hand, my clients touch me frequently and sometimes very invasively. They often shape my face into smile or a frown, if they feel that is how I should have responded, they mould my hands around clay or plasticine, they lean against me when we share stories, pat my head if I am concentrating and wipe my face if it has been sprayed with bubble mixture. They hold my hand as we walk along a corridor or street. Very occasionally, I get a hug, usually only round an arm, as I am so much bigger than they are and that is all they can reach round.
Once, doing a night time walk with a group of difficult adolescents, we were exploring responses to fear through a ghost story (out on a really blasted heath under a full moon). As we reached a peak in the story, I was suddenly conscious that every member of the group was touching another member, three of them slightly leaning against me as we walked along. I got more from the later discussion of that moment than at any other time with that group.
I am far from sure that work in any depth with a child could be done without touching.
Stephen Rennie, Leeds Metropolitan University
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