What a nice Wecome--thank you, Elysha. I think that you said it all...the DSMIV will need to be re-written using some common sense and we must remember that diagnosis is an art and not a science.
I don't respect this classification system as it historically identified gay & lesbian populations as abnormal or ill. Many of us in the mental health profession knew that this system was wrong about this and much more. In my mental health center, we asked the psychaitrists or psychologists to take responsibility for their product and do the diagnosis while we described the behavior and relationships of the clients. I don't think that most people realize how labels can harm them until they run for office or apply for a sensitive position in our government. Anyway, most therapists who I have talked with have no respect for this system and only use it because it is required for funding perposes.
Thanks for the referral of "Compassionate Touch...." I hear you. My recommendation is that we develop clear guidelines for the use of touch and let our clients have a copy of them. Safe, skillful, and appropriate touch can be taught and addressed in our professional programs so that physical communication/interaction is not considered criminal or out of context.
I am licensed in social work and massage therapy so I do not fear using interventions that include touch. But, it is not necessary to have the license to touch. I usually begin teaching skillful touch by having the client self-administer some practices. For example, they can cross their arms and place their hands on their shoulders while observing the rise and fall of their breath. This exercise produces feelings of safety, security, and trust. Later, with permission, the therapist and client or parent and child, can exchange touch by laying their hands on their partner's shoulders while both observing their breathing. This produces unity.
Again, I appreciate your substance and recommendations.