I am really fortunate to be with a therapist who is willing to hug and hold me whenever I ask. She's helped me feel that it is okay to ask her for this. It took me many months to ask, but I'm so glad I did. I struggle with developing close relationships - both emotional and physical intimacy are things I want, yet fear. We both recognize that this touch is part of my healing whatever needs to be healed and I'm so grateful she is willing to be a safe person with whom I can learn to feel safe in close relationships.
I think that this would require a therapist who is truly honestly comfortable with it since that may be the only way to truly feel accepted for voicing your needs. Unfortunately, there are many therapists who this would not work with, although they may have much else to offer. I would just hope for those people who feel they need touch or holding in therapy that they find someone who is a good match - who they really trust and is willing to offer more touch on the client's terms. I also hope that you would feel safe enough in your relationship at some point to ask for what you really want, to see if your therapist would be willing to help you in this way. If it's important to you, then it is probably going to be therapeutic to at least mention it.
