Which therapy is associated with the concept of "unconditional positive regard"?

The concept of "unconditional positive regard" is a fundamental principle within Client-Centered Therapy, developed by Carl Rogers. This approach emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where a therapist accepts and values the client without conditions or judgments. Such an environment encourages clients to express their thoughts and feelings freely, fostering self-exploration and personal growth. The therapist’s core conditions—empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard—work together to help clients feel valued and understood, which is essential for effective therapeutic progress.

In contrast, the other therapeutic approaches listed do not focus on the same principle. Behaviorism primarily centers on observable behaviors and their modification through conditioning, lacking a focus on emotional acceptance. Transactional Analysis looks at social interactions and psychological states, while Existential Therapy explores life’s inherent meaning and personal responsibility, but does not emphasize unconditional acceptance in the same way as Client-Centered Therapy does. Thus, the correct association with "unconditional positive regard" distinctly lies with Client-Centered Therapy.