Unconditional positive regard is defined by humanistic psychologists to mean expressing empathy, support, and acceptance to someone, regardless of what they say or do. For me, it expresses the primary theme of my whole professional life, as that theme has been clarified through experience, interaction with others, and research. This theme has been utilized and found effective in many different areas until the broad label ‘a person-centered approach’ seems the most descriptive. The central hypothesis of this approach can be briefly stated. It is that the individual has within him or her self vast resources for self-understanding, for altering her or his self-concept, attitudes, and self-directed behavior—and that these resources can be tapped if only a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided.[rx]
Unconditional positive regard (UPR) is unconditional acceptance, love, or affection. The term is credited to the humanist psychologist Carl Rogers. It differs from unconditional love in that there need not be actual feelings of warmth and affection behind the attitude. Rather, unconditional positive regard requires that a person be warm and accepting even when another person has done something questionable. While most parents attempt to give their children unconditional love, few grant their children unconditional positive regard. Many therapists advocate giving their clients unconditional positive regard as part of the therapeutic process. UPR is most notably associated with person-centered therapy or Rogerian therapy.
As therapists, counselors, social workers, and other members of helping professions, how can we best help our clients help themselves?
As parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, how can we encourage our children to grow into healthy and happy people with a positive sense of self-worth?
These are the questions that have driven countless studies and investigations into personality development, the effectiveness of therapeutic techniques, and the crafting of impactful parenting strategies. While there is undoubtedly still much to be discovered, psychologists have been able to define at least one vital technique for helping our clients and our children be the best versions of themselves: unconditional positive regard.
This attitude is a powerful one—it can have a huge impact on how our clients and children feel about themselves and others, and set them up for success. Read on to learn about what unconditional positive regard is, how it works, and what it can do for your clients and your children.
What is Unconditional Positive Regard?
So, what is unconditional positive regard?
A general definition is the attitude of complete acceptance and love, whether for yourself or someone else. When you have unconditional positive regard for someone, nothing they can do could give you a reason to stop seeing them as inherently human and inherently lovable. It does not mean that you accept every action taken by the person, but that you accept who they are at a level much deeper than surface behavior (Rogers, 1951).
In therapy, the idea is much the same, although with a more specific purpose: to build a positive, trusting relationship between the therapist and the client. It is a defining feature of client-centered therapy (and an important feature in many other forms of therapy), in which the client is accepted and supported by the therapist no matter what they say or do (Rogers, 2001).
The Psychology Behind Unconditional Positive Regard
“The kind of caring that the client-centered therapist desires to achieve is a gullible caring, in which clients are accepted as they say they are, not with a lurking suspicion in the therapist’s mind that they may, in fact, be otherwise. This attitude is not stupidity on the therapist’s part; it is the kind of attitude that is most likely to lead to trust…”
Carl R. Rogers
Unconditional positive regard is not about liking a client or accepting everything they have done; it’s about respecting the client as a human being with his or her own free will and operating under the assumption that he or she is doing the best they can.
Having this attitude toward a client can encourage them to share their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors more openly with the therapist.
A client who is afraid the therapist will be shocked, offended, or judgmental will likely not be very forthcoming with any information that they feel may be perceived as negative or unacceptable. Of course, this withholding of important information can have a very negative impact on the therapeutic relationship and, in turn, on any healing or recovery that the client is looking to gain from therapy.
It has been suggested that unconditional positive regard from the therapist may be a substitute for the unconditional positive regard that the client did not receive from their parents or other important adults in their childhood. Carl Rogers believed that those who do not receive such regard from their parents at a young age are more likely to have low self-worth and less likely to reach their full potential in personal development (Rogers, 1959).
A therapist’s unconditional positive regard may provide the client with the acceptance and love they did not receive as a child, allowing them to feel safe, open up, and work through their issues with a sort of “proxy” parent (Wilkins, 2000).
Carl Rogers’ Theory
“To be with another in this [empathic] way means that for the time being, you lay aside your own views and values in order to enter another’s world without prejudice. In some sense it means that you lay aside your self; this can only be done by persons who are secure enough in themselves that they know they will not get lost in what may turn out to be the strange or bizarre world of the other, and that they can comfortably return to their own world when they wish. Perhaps this description makes clear that being empathic is a complex, demanding, and strong—yet subtle and gentle—way of being.”
Carl R. Rogers
Carl Rogers described unconditional positive regard as:
“…caring for the client, but not in a possessive way or in such a way as simply to satisfy the therapist’s own needs… It means caring for the client as a separate person, with permission to have his own feelings, his own experiences”
(Rogers, 1957).
We know what unconditional positive regard is, but you may be wondering how is this supposed to contribute to an effective therapeutic experience. Carl Rogers has an answer, and it’s based on what he saw as innate human needs and instincts.
Rogers believed that we all have two instinctual urges and desires that make unconditional positive regard an effective tool of therapy:
- The drive towards socially constructive behavior, or interacting effectively and positively with others.
- The need for self-determination, or the right and responsibility to choose one’s path (Joseph & Murphy, 2013).
Rogers posited that when a therapist respects the client’s need for self-determination and adopts the attitude that the client is doing the best they can with the tools and resources they have available, the client is more likely to allow their urge towards socially constructive behavior to drive their decisions and their actions.
Examples of Unconditional Positive Regard in Counseling
One of the best representations of unconditional positive regard in therapy sessions is a scenario in which the client shares thoughts, feelings, or behaviors with the therapist that are considered morally wrong or simply unacceptable.
In this case, the therapist can display unconditional acceptance by asking the client about their feelings and what they believe drove the thought or behavior rather than focusing on how the client’s actions would hurt someone else or on the illegality or immorality of the action.
For another example, therapists have the opportunity to display unconditional positive regard when a client shares a habit or behavior with the therapist that is self-detrimental or self-harmful, such as abusing drugs or alcohol, cutting, or binge-eating. Instead of chiding the client for this behavior or ignoring its potential to harm, the therapist might help the client realize that the behavior is harmful while simultaneously assuring the client that she is worthy of love and self-care and that she deserves to have a healthy and happy life.
Finally, unconditional positive regard can be seen in the therapist’s modeling of acceptance of the client. The unconditionally accepting therapist will show the client that he is still accepted and valued, even when he makes mistakes. The therapist’s positive regard works as a model for the client’s acceptance of himself, giving him the message that if the therapist can accept him no matter what he does, he can also accept himself exactly as he is.
There are real examples of how a therapist can use unconditional positive regard. In the article by C.H. Patterson, there are two specific examples of therapist and client dialogue. In the first dialogue between the therapist and the client, there is absolutely no evidence of unconditional positive regard used. This causes the client to become shut down and unresponsive toward the therapist. The therapist does not engage in a respectful therapeutic manner, which causes less trust for the client.
Therapist: ….another part here too, that is, if they haven’t got a lot of schooling, there may be a good argument, that, that they-are better judges, you know.
Client: Yeah…
Therapist: Now, I’m not saying that that’s necessarily true. I’m just saying that’s reality.
Client: Yeah.
Therapist: And you’re in a position that you can’t argue with them. Why is it that these people burn you up so much?
Client: They get by with too many things…
Therapist: Why should that bother you?
Client: ‘Cause I never got by with anything.
Therapist: They’re papa figures, aren’t they?[16]
However, in the second dialogue between the client and therapist, the therapist uses the unconditional positive regard theory. This seems to work much better for the client. The client can better understand the therapeutic methods and have a meaningful therapy session. The therapist works with respect as the main aspect, which only leads to positive outcomes. The more real-life examples from Patterson’s article give an idea of how successful unconditional positive regard can be if used appropriately and correctly.
Client: …ever recovering to the extent where I could become self-supporting and live alone I thought that I was doomed to hospitalization for the rest of my life and seeing some of the people over in the main building, some of those old people who are, who need a lot of attention and all that sort of thing, is the only picture I could see of my own future, just one of complete hopelessness, that there was any…
Therapist: Mhm
Therapist: (Interrupting) You didn’t see any hope at all, did you?
Client: Not in the least. I thought no one really cared and I didn’t care myself, and I seriously-uh-thought of suicide; if there’d been any way that I could end it all completely and not become a burden or extra care, I would have committed suicide, I was that low. I didn’t want to live. In fact, I hoped that I-I would go to sleep at night and not wake up, because I, I really felt there was nothing to live for. (Therapist: Uh-huh [very softly]). Now I, I truly believe that this drug they are giving me helps me a lot, I think, I think it is one drug that really does me good. (Therapist: Uh hm).
Therapist: But you say that, that during that time you, you felt as though no one cared, as to what (Client: That’s right) what happened to you.
Client: And, not only that, but I hated myself so that I didn’t deserve to have anyone care for me. I hated myself so that I not only felt that no one did, but I didn’t see any reason why they should.[16]
Using Unconditional Positive Regard in Social Work
Unsurprisingly, this concept can be applied in many areas outside of therapy. For instance, it can have a positive impact on a social worker’s efforts.
It works in much the same way as it does in therapy, as social work shares many characteristics with therapy and counseling. However, social workers often interact with more people and in contexts with broader, more relational-based issues, such as families, couples who are struggling, and other related problems.
Social workers will often work with clients who are at a low point in their lives. Often, clients will have a strikingly negative view of themselves (and/or others). Even more frequently, clients will hail from remarkably different cultures, childhoods, and experiences than the social worker. This diverse mix of clients makes unconditional positive regard an essential feature of social work.
Social workers will improve their ability to relate with their clients and enhance their ability to help them when they embrace unconditional positive regard and acceptance. Instead of imposing their views, values, and beliefs on their clients using unconditional positive regard will guide them towards “meeting the client where they are” and encouraging them to follow a path that is consistent with their views, values, and beliefs.
Just like the therapist, the social worker does not need to accept and approve of every behavior the client displays; instead, he or she should focus on accepting that the client is a self-directed individual with free will and their unique wants and needs. A social worker who accepts this about their clients will find that their clients are more open to discussion and more apt to accept themselves as they are, believe that positive change is possible, and commit to making such changes.
How does unconditional positive regard bolster motivation?
While Rogers considered unconditional positive regard necessary for successful therapy, research suggests it’s beneficial in the workplace as well by increasing motivation.
A 2018 study, published in the British Journal of Management found that employees who received unconditional positive regard from their colleagues felt valued, which enhanced their motivation, job performance, and job satisfaction. These collaborative relationships also cultivated a sense of inclusion, which heightened workplace morale.
When it comes to goal-setting, mindset matters. Let’s say we set out to exercise more, be less distracted, or go to bed on time. At the outset, if we call ourselves “lazy,” or “lacking self-control,” our internal narrative can evoke false beliefs that influence our behaviors by reducing our motivation to change.
When we strive to make changes or meet new goals, research suggests positive self-regard can unleash intrinsic motivation, which is the “desire to do something for its own sake.” Taking on challenges that interest us can make us more motivated and more self-determined
Parenting with Unconditional Positive Regard (+ Techniques)
“What we’ve always said is that every child here is going to be treated with unconditional positive regard because they deserve it as every child does. It’s all about making healthy, caring attachments for these boys… It’s about learning to develop a relationship, something many of them have never done before.”
Dan Gallagher
“The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models.”
Zig Ziglar
Similar to the unconditional positive regard used in therapy and social work, parenting with unconditional positive regard does not mean that you accept and approve of everything your child does. It is not an attitude intended to give the child free rein to behave in whatever dangerous or unhealthy ways they would like; rather, it is an attitude that allows the child to feel loved and accepted and facilitates the development of self-worth and self-confidence (Rogers, 1946).
According to Carl Rogers (1951), showing unconditional positive regard for your children helps them meet two essential needs: experiencing positive regard from others and a positive sense of self-worth. Accepting and loving your child for who she is, means not withdrawing or limiting your love and acceptance when she does something you do not approve of; this is conditional positive regard, in which you give your child the message that she is only loved and accepted when she does the “right” things.
Given this conditional acceptance, she may grow up to make all the “right” choices, but her self-worth and self-esteem may never develop to their fullest potential.
When you adopt an unconditional positive attitude toward your child, you allow him to be free to try new things, make mistakes, and be spontaneous. He will undoubtedly make some decisions that lead to negative consequences, but only those who are free to craft their path and learn from honestly-made mistakes will be likely to develop a healthy sense of self-worth and reach self-actualization (the highest level of development according to humanist psychologists like Rogers; Maslow, 1943).
Now that you know why you should consider applying unconditional positive regard to the raising of your child, you might want to know how you can apply it. The four techniques listed below can help get you started.
Modify Your Words
Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to show your child unconditional positive regard is with your words. It can be difficult to be unconditionally positive and accepting when your child has displeased or disappointed you, but this is when it is most important!
You might be tempted to scold your child for the behavior. While this is not necessarily harmful, you should make sure that you temper any criticism with assurances that their behavior has not changed your feelings about them.
For example, instead of saying, “Your behavior was embarrassing and unacceptable,” you might say “I love you and always will, but I am disappointed by your actions.”
It’s a simple change in theory—although it can be more difficult to implement—it can have a huge impact on how your child sees herself and the development of her self-worth.
Focus on Feelings
When your child comes to you with an admission (or is caught in bad behavior), this is an excellent opportunity to practice unconditional positive regard.
The default response might be to get upset, chastise him for what he has done wrong, and to discipline or correct him.
While discipline and correction are not necessarily harmful, getting upset and chastising him will likely not get you the result you want: a child who weighs their options makes thoughtful decisions and maintains a positive sense of self-worth.
Instead of giving in to the urge to scold or focus on what they did wrong, try focusing on their feelings instead. This is especially impactful if your child came to you with an admission of guilt or a request for advice. Ask him how he feels about his actions and try to guide him towards making better decisions for his reasons instead of for your reasons.
Cultivate Your Attitude of Unconditional Positive Regard
To cultivate an attitude of unconditional positive regard for your child, try reminding yourself of some simple truths. You can repeat these sayings as a twist on the usual self-focus of mantras or affirmations:
- “My child’s worth is non-negotiable and does not need to be earned.”
- “I approve of my child without condition, although I may not approve of all the choices my child makes.”
- “I give my child permission to make mistakes and I believe in his/her ability to learn from them.”
- “I believe in my child’s ability to become who they are meant to be.”
- “I am here to help, understand, and provide guidelines—not to criticize.” (McMahon, 2013)
Unconditional Positive Regard for Teachers
On this page, the Public Broadcast System offers some guidance for teachers (although it applies to parents as well) on how to implement unconditional positive regard and encourage the development of a child’s self-worth and self-esteem. According to PBS, the main factors include:
- Giving the child honest recognition for their success and achievement.
- Offering specific (as opposed to overly general) praise for their good decisions and actions.
- Respecting the child by offering them choices, abiding by their decisions, and explaining the reasoning behind our own decisions.
- Help them achieve competence by encouraging them to be independent and offer diverse opportunities to be challenged and to be successful.
Books by Carl Rogers on Using Unconditional Positive Regard
Luckily, Carl Rogers was not only a groundbreaking thinker and psychologist, but also a prolific author! If you want to learn more about unconditional positive regard directly from the source, you don’t have to dig too deep into academic journals. The books below were written by Rogers and describe his views on therapy, personal development, and the powerful use of unconditional positive regard.
These books include:
- Client-Centered Therapy: Its Current Practice, Implications, and Theory by Carl R. Rogers (Amazon)
- Rogers, Carl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 592 Pages - 01/19/2021 (Publication Date) - Robinson (Publisher)
- Significant Aspects of Client-Centered Therapy (Psychology Classics Book 2) by Carl R. Rogers and David Webb (Amazon)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Rogers, Carl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 60 Pages - 03/11/2013 (Publication Date) - www.all-about-psychology.com (Publisher)
- Counseling and Psychotherapy by Carl R. Rogers (Amazon)
- A Way of Being by Carl R. Rogers (Amazon)
- Rogers, Carl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 416 Pages - 09/07/1995 (Publication Date) - HarperOne (Publisher)
- On Becoming a Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy by Carl R. Rogers and Peter D. Kramer (Amazon)
- Rogers, Carl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 420 Pages - 09/07/1995 (Publication Date) - HarperOne (Publisher)
- Carl Rogers On Personal Power: Inner Strength and Its Revolutionary Impact by Carl R. Rogers (Amazon)
- Carl R. Rogers (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 305 Pages - 10/05/1978 (Publication Date) - Trans-Atlantic Publications (Publisher)
- Active Listening by Carl R. Rogers and Richard Evans Farson (Amazon)
- Rogers, Carl R. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 34 Pages - 11/10/2015 (Publication Date) - Martino Publishing (Publisher)
If you’re such a voracious reader that these simply won’t cut it in your quest to learn about unconditional positive regard, here are a few bonus books on the subject by other authors:
- Interdisciplinary Applications of the Person-Centered Approach by Jeffrey H. D. Cornelius-White, Renate Motschnig-Pitrik, and Michael Lux (Amazon)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Cornelius-White (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 284 Pages - 06/04/2013 (Publication Date) - Springer (Publisher)
- Unconditional Positive Regard (Rogers Therapeutic Conditions Evolution Theory & Practice) by Jerold Bozarth and Paul Wilkins (Amazon)
- New
- Mint Condition
- Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
- Guaranteed packaging
- No quibbles returns
- Jerold D. Bozarth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 251 Pages - 10/06/2025 (Publication Date) - Pccs Books (Publisher)
- The Carl Rogers Reader by Carl R. Rogers, edited by Howard Kirschenbaum and Valerie Land Henderson (Amazon)
- Rogers, Carl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 544 Pages - 08/16/1989 (Publication Date) - HarperOne (Publisher)
Unconditional Positive Regard and Self-Worth
Rogers believed that people need both self-worth and positive regard for other people.2 How people think about themselves and how they value themselves plays a major role in well-being.
People with a stronger sense of self-worth are also more confident and motivated to pursue their goals and to work toward self-actualization because they believe that they are capable of accomplishing their goals.
During the early years, children hopefully learn that they are loved and accepted by their parents and other family members, which contributes to feelings of confidence and self-worth. Unconditional positive regard from caregivers during the early years of life can help contribute to feelings of self-worth as people grow older.
As people age, the regard for others plays more of a role in shaping a person’s self-image.
Rogers believed that when people experience conditional positive regard, where approval hinges solely on the individual’s actions, incongruence may occur. Incongruence happens when a person’s vision of their ideal self is out of step with what they experience in real-life.
Congruent individuals will have a lot of overlap between their self-image and their notion of their ideal self. An incongruent individual will have little overlap between their self-image and ideal self.
Rogers also believed that receiving unconditional positive regard could help people become congruent once more. By providing unconditional positive regard to their clients, Rogers believed that therapists could help people become more congruent and achieve better psychological well-being.
How It Works
Is it possible for therapists to offer unconditional positive regard to every client? Many suggest that the answer is no. However, as John and Rita Sommers-Flanagan note, therapists can try to feel such regard toward their clients.
They also note that such acceptance does not constitute permissiveness or an endorsement of all behaviors. Natalie Rogers, the daughter of Carl Rogers, later explained that her father believed that while any thoughts and feelings are OK, not all behaviors are acceptable.
While unconditional positive regard is a cornerstone of client-centered therapy, it isn’t always easy to put into practice. Imagine a situation in which a therapist is working with a sex offender. In their book, “Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice,” Sommers-Flanagan offers some advice to practitioners who encounter such difficult situations.
Rather than focusing on the behaviors themselves, the authors recommend seeking positive regard for the suffering and fears that such behaviors might represent.
“Rogers firmly believed every person was born with the potential to develop in positive, loving ways,” they suggest. “When doing person-centered therapy, you become their next chance, maybe their last chance, to be welcomed, understood, and accepted. Your acceptance may create the conditions needed for change.”
9 Quotes on Unconditional Positive Regard
Unconditional positive regard is a vital concept, not only in therapy but also in other helping professions and parenting. If you need a little reminder to cultivate an attitude of unconditional positive regard or motivation and inspiration to embrace such an attitude, refer back to these quotes:
“I’m not perfect… but I’m enough.”
Carl R. Rogers
“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.”
Brian Tracy
“In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, cure, or change this person? Now I would rephrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?”
Carl R. Rogers
“One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”
Paulo Coelho
“When a person realizes he has been deeply heard, his eyes moisten. I think in some real sense he is weeping for joy. It is as though he were saying, ‘Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it’s like to be me.’”
Carl R. Rogers
“When the other person is hurting, confused, troubled, anxious, alienated, terrified; or when he or she is doubtful of self-worth, uncertain as to identity, then understanding is called for. The gentle and sensitive companionship of an empathic stance… provides illumination and healing. In such situations deep understanding is, I believe, the most precious gift one can give to another.”
Carl R. Rogers
“I don’t want you to save me. I want you to stand by my side as I save myself.”
Sushil Singh
“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, ‘Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner.’ I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.”
Carl R. Rogers
“You don’t need someone to complete you. You only need someone to accept you completely.”
Rapunzel from the movie Tangled
Conclusion
This piece defined unconditional positive regard, differentiated it from complete acceptance of any behaviors (a key truth to understand for any therapist or parent!), and described how it can be implemented.
As always, I hope you learned something new from this piece, and I hope you walk away with a valuable new insight: that accepting yourself and others does not mean you relinquish the right to be concerned, the desire to improve, or the motivation to pursue positive change, but that it is a vital factor in these processes.
As Carl Rogers said, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” After learning about unconditional positive regard, we can now see that this quote applies to others in addition to the self. When we accept ourselves, we permit ourselves to change. When we accept others as they are, we permit them to accept themselves.
I feel this is a powerful idea. It has given me renewed motivation to be accepting, kind, and compassionate towards others. When we see and accept others for who they are, we cannot help but increase the understanding and warmth in the world. I would be honored if you would join me in my commitment to show unconditional positive regard for everyone I meet.
I’m sure I will fail at times, but that’s okay. We know that it is not perfection we should seek; instead, we should seek to spread acceptance, understanding, and love.
What are your thoughts on this technique? Do you think it is vital to successful relationships? If so, is it vital to all relationships or only to parent/child and helping professional/client relationships? Let us know in the comments section!
