ABSTRACT
There are established criteria for effective touch-use: most critically, the client should be wholly in control of any touch that occurs; touch should be dictated by the client’s need and never the therapist’s; there should be open communication/discussion between therapist and client about the touch on offer and associated issues such as relationship boundaries; and therapists who use touch should be comfortable with it and competent at using it. When these criteria are observed, touch can be a highly effective therapeutic tool which enhances clients’ achievements; when these criteria are disregarded, touch can be at best ineffective and at worst can stymie therapeutic progress.
Physical contact in therapy is strongly contraindicated if it would obstruct or impede the attainment of therapeutic goals. To safeguard against this occurring, therapists are advised to study the many aspects of touch research, such as its timing, properties and meanings. It is important also that they are conscious of their own issues (motivations, assumptions, biases) relating to physical contact and of how these might influence their use or non-use of touch in therapy.
