Counselling Skills – Level 2 Week Six

Aims To explore Unconditional Positive Regard –definitions, context, impact and related skills

Objectives/Agenda Participate in group check-in Review Homework – Giving and Receiving Feedback Demonstrate an awareness of UPR as one of three core conditions. Identify situations in which it might be difficult to offer UPR. Consider how UPR can be communicated to the client/when using listening skills Participate in and reflect upon Listening Skills Practise (being empathic, being non- judgemental) Consider the essay requirements

What is UPR? UPR is one of the three core conditions identified by Carl Rogers, the founder of the Person-centred Approach in counselling. He suggested that when all three conditions are present, communicated to and received by a client in difficulty or distress, then healing or growth can take place.

Rogers on U.P.R. “The second attitude of importance in creating a climate for change is acceptance, or caring, or prizing- what I have called ‘unconditional positive regard.’ When the therapist is experiencing a positive, acceptant attitude toward wherever the client is at that moment, therapeutic change is more likely to occur. The therapist is willing for the client to be whatever immediate feeling is going on – confusion, resentment, fear, anger, courage, love or pride. Such caring on the part of the therapist is non- possessive. The therapist prizes the client in a total rather than a conditional way.”

Unconditional Positive Regard “UPR refers to the generally non-judgemental, accepting attitude of the counsellor. It does not imply any approval on the part of the counsellor for destructive behaviour of the client, but an acceptance of its existence and that its roots are located within the client’s psychological history. It is neither necessary nor desirable for the counsellor to be engaged in making moralistic evaluations of the client.” Merry, Tony. (2004, p.36) Learning and Being

What is Unconditional Positive Regard. Respect Consistency Prizing Affirming Accepting Non-possessive Non-judgemental Valuing

Communicating UPR

Going to the door to meet the client. Shaking hands with the client. Using the client’s first name. Smiling. Using a warm tone of voice. Holding eye contact. Genuinely laughing as the client recounts a funny incident..

Communicating UPR Agreeing to extend the session where that is possible and appropriate. Using words to show warmth. Showing genuine interest in the client. Physically moving towards the client. Touching the client’s arm. Touching the client’s shoulder. Holding hands. Hugging the client.

Some Basic Listening Skills Rapport Building Minimal Encouragers Reflecting/mirroring Paraphrasing Summarising Clarifying Focussing Open questions Closed Questions