I would say that my therapist does demonstrate unconditional positive regard for me. She is my first T to do this convincingly. I'm not sure if any of the others even tried. Maybe it was not their thing. The way I experience it is that my point of view and my feelings are reasonable, warranted, allowed etc. It doesn't mean that she'll support any old thing I do but that she'll honour the impulse and feelings behind it.

I think that not being allowed ones feelings or opinions is at the root of a lot low self esteem, depression and poor decision-making. Being told that how you perceive the world is unacceptable or untrue is deeply shaming. So it can be quite powerful and reparative to have a therapist say "yes, I can see why you'd feel that way, that makes sense to me, those feelings are okay."

That's not fake love or insincere cheerleading. It's simply saying that you are welcome in the therapy space just as you are and that you are entitled to your feelings.