What should counselors do before hugging their clients?

Before hugging their clients, counselors must ensure the client is comfortable with the touching. This approach is essential in maintaining ethical boundaries and fostering a safe environment for the client. Touch can carry significant emotional and cultural implications, and what may feel comfortable or appropriate to one person might be invasive or unwanted to another. By first verifying the client's comfort level with physical contact, counselors demonstrate respect for their autonomy, boundaries, and personal preferences, which helps build trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Moreover, establishing consent for physical touch aligns with ethical guidelines that prioritize the client's well-being. Counselors should always remain attuned to their clients' verbal and non-verbal cues regarding boundaries and personal space to ensure that any form of physical affection, such as hugging, is appropriate and welcomed. This practice ultimately supports the ethical obligation of counselors to "do no harm."