Question

A client just reports to his therapist that he has cheated on his wife. The therapist refrains from making any character judgments about his patient. This represents ______.

O empathy
O unconditional positive regard
O active listening
O genuineness

Answer 1

The therapist's non-judgmental acceptance of the client's disclosure without making character judgments exemplifies 'unconditional positive regard', a key component of Rogerian client-centered therapy. This approach encourages a supportive therapeutic environment that aids client self-discovery and problem-solving.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior of the therapist in the described situation represents unconditional positive regard. This concept, coined by Carl Rogers, is part of the client-centered therapy approach, in which the therapist accepts the client for who they are without making any character judgments. By doing so, Rogers believed that it fosters a supportive environment that helps clients deal with their problems more effectively.

Techniques like genuineness and empathy are also crucial in this therapeutic approach, but they are not specifically demonstrated in the given scenario. Genuineness relates to the therapist being authentic and transparent with their clients, while empathy involves understanding the client's feelings and reflecting this understanding back to them. Active listening is another important skill in therapy, characterized by the therapist giving full attention to the client, which is not directly indicated in the situation.