What are the negatives of touch in therapy?
Otto Bogisich
2025-06-16 06:55:21
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The most commonly cited concern is the risk of crossing or violating ethical boundaries. Touch, even if well-intentioned, can be misinterpreted or may unintentionally replicate dynamics of past abuse or neglect. For this reason, many clinicians avoid touch altogether. The meaning and acceptability of touch vary widely across cultures, genders, and personal histories. A gesture considered benign by one client may feel intrusive or confusing to another. In some jurisdictions, touch between therapist and client—outside of structured therapeutic modalities like somatic experiencing—may be considered unethical or even illegal. Professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) emphasise the need for clear contracting, supervision, and client consent. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the use of touch must be clinically justified and handled with sensitivity to the client’s needs and boundaries. Touch may be misinterpreted and therapists must navigate these variables with caution.
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