Do therapists in India express unconditional positive regard in their practice? A pilot study

Carl Rogers' concept of positive regard (PR) is central to client-centered therapy,emphasizing acceptance and respect to foster self-growth. While most PR research has focused onWestern cultures, this pilot study explored its expression among Indian therapists in a collectivisticcontext. Using a quantitative study design, this study aimed to explore how PR is perceived andexpressed by Indian therapists within a collectivistic framework. The sample consisted of 11female therapists residing in South India who completed two measures: the Psychotherapists'Perception of Positive Regard (PPPR) and the Psychotherapists' Expression of Positive RegardScale-Revised (PEPR-R). Descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS revealed that Indiantherapists highly valued empathy, emotional validation, authenticity, and non-verbal cues like bodylanguage and tone of voice as affirming expressions of PR. Direct verbal affirmations, such as“I’m proud of you” and “I admire that about you,” were also highly rated, indicating thatreinforcing client strengths is valued within this cultural context. However, therapist self-disclosure and humor were seen as less affirming, consistent with collectivistic norms thatprioritize professional boundaries. These findings align with Rogers’ concept of PR whilehighlighting cultural nuances in its expression. Though the study provides preliminary insightsinto PR in collectivistic contexts, its small sample size and limited regional scope point to the needfor further research with larger, more diverse groups.Keywords: Positive Regard, Carl Rogers, Indian therapists