Physical touch in psychotherapy: Why are we not touching more?

Abstract

This article discusses the issue of using touch in psychotherapy and addresses the difficulties encountered in discussing the topic. These difficulties include confusion about the purpose of touch, lack of experience among psychotherapists in the use of touch, and misunderstandings about who actually uses touch in psychotherapy. The article then addresses the anxiety psychotherapists feel about using touch such as fears of sexual provocation or physical aggression. The importance of touch in emotional development and everyday life is emphasised and the benefits of using touch in psychotherapy is detailed. Two cases of the beneficial use of touch are presented with comments from the clients, and the concept of ‘contactful touch’ introduced. Finally, based on the author's experience as a body psychotherapist, trainer, and supervisor, some guidelines are suggested for how touch can be introduced into psychotherapy.

Keywords:

• contactful touch
• anxiety about touch
• benefits
• guidelines
• vignettes
• touch debate

Notes

Note

1. Processing of information can be seen as ‘top-down’ i.e. relatively more cognitive or ‘bottom up’ i.e. relatively more sensorimotor and emotional. These three levels of processing must be balanced and integrated in psychotherapy. See for example, Ogden, Minton, and Pain (2006).