tn, i am not doing this work and probably a long way off it, but just some thoughts.

* when I have seen T in the late afternoon, early evening - the dark or time of day has a real impact. At night time I feel safer in talking and getting to the issue quickly. And being able to leave when it is dark or nearly dark - I feel safer and that society or people are not watching me.

* if we do deep or revealing stuff - I am screwed mentally for the rest of the day - I make sure I have no or minimal commitments after - so i think this will be a real issue for you having to go back to work or to function properly.

* sometimes the rest of the day is written off for me and I am still dissociated / not focussed until the next day

* T and I usually sit on the same couch and we don't touch, but when we go out on walks or sit on a bench someplace we are closer. Sitting side my side makes a big difference. It changes the perspective, the intimacy, body language - everything. I think you need to experiment.

* I saw something on youtube once about therapy and it was standard for the T and client to have their feet touching. I have often thought of this. It creates a connection and touch - but you can still be seated a distance apart and it not invade personal space.

* cushions or something to hug. I think this is a good thing. I have never used comfort things to hug, go to sleep with or whatever. I had soft toys but don't ever remember them being a source of comfort. However.... now that T is away I have an office cushion. I wasn't particularly wanting to have a cushion but some people on the forum here recommended it and I thought that if I don't have it and she is gone, I might regret it. So T offered it and I said yes. That cushion has helped me a lot over the past 5 days. I hug it at night - not to be close to T in particular - well maybe it is, I don't know - it is helping me. Maybe when she comes back I think I will continue it and it will help me feel more at ease. Maybe not *that* particular cushion as I think it will be threadbare and hugged to death.

I think it is good that you are planning for it.
Somedays