The attitude of unconditional positive regard is the distinctive feature of client centred therapy, (Freire 2001) and few would argue with Iberg (2001) who suggests that UPR is to “seek the enjoyable beauty in the person you regard. To do this, do not attempt to control or change the person; use all your senses plus your conceptual grasp of the full range of possibilities to understand; maintain a non categorizing mentality, attending to the full rich detail, rather than thinking of categories into which to fit things, and allow yourself to be moved by what you hear”.
The primary difficulty in the practice of UPR “is the reality of the therapist’s judgemental and evaluative reactions. (Brodley 2001). “The therapists ability to provide UPR depends on the individuals attitude towards themselves, if therapists are blind to the ways in which they cut off parts of their own experience they will not be able to relate without some defence to these aspect in their clients”( Wilkins 2000).
UPR is fundamental to survival from the moment of conception. (Watson and Stickle 2001) Acceptance and warmth together with caregiver responsiveness, facilitates the emotional, physical, and social development of the infant and child. (Bowlby 1969, Rogers 1959, Shore 1994). The sense of being accepted, prized and cherished is not only fundamental to how we view ourselves, but provides us with a sense of physical safety and protection. In the absence of these we may feel defective and unlovable, and may spend the rest of our lives seeking to belong, fearing rejection. In contrast if we are accepted, we feel a sense of belonging that allows us to grow, explore, and to grow into socially responsible adults.
Acceptance by another is affirmation of our own existence.
This will be an experiential day.
Date: Saturday, November 23rd 10-4.30 2013
Cost: £50.00 (waged) £40.00 (part waged) £30.00 (unwaged)
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