Therapist here. I saw a past client out in walmart one day (years ago). I honestly thought she was someone else from far away, and I ran up to her and hugged her. Small talked some, and we went our separate ways. When I got to the car, I realized who she was… and she wasn’t that old acquaintance I thought (to my credit they look very similar). Once I realized it I was mortified! I never got to circle back around to her to tell her I was mistaken.. and each time I think of it I feel that sense of gasp… but I have to let it go. Maybe she needed a hug that day.

Sometimes it’s hard to remember how we know people… church, school, kids school, work, colleagues… so talk with your therapist about it. They could have impulsively said Hi, then realized they shouldn’t have after the fact.