In my counseling courses, something I'm repeatedly taught is that in the counseling relationship, it's the therapist who has power. No matter how kind and sensitive the counselor is, the client is in the vulnerable position. This means that the counselor, the person with power, has the responsibility to make sure that nobody is harmed. It's the counselor's responsibility to be aware of the power differentials in a given scenario. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure the well-being of the vulnerable. This is basic Spider-Man ethics, "With great power comes great responsibility."
I seek to distract not at all from the horrifying experience of Patrick Lyoya, but I have had recourse to therapy on a few occasions. Twice, that I can think of, the therapist instructed me quite firmly where to sit in the room though there was a selection of chairs, and the place i was told to occupy was set low with the result that she (as it was in both cases) was perched well above me looking down. I had to think this was deliberate. It goes to what you say in your first two paragraphs here.
I seek to distract not at all from the horrifying experience of Patrick Lyoya, but I have had recourse to therapy on a few occasions. Twice, that I can think of, the therapist instructed me quite firmly where to sit in the room though there was a selection of chairs, and the place i was told to occupy was set low with the result that she (as it was in both cases) was perched well above me looking down. I had to think this was deliberate. It goes to what you say in your first two paragraphs here.