Can Listening be Conditional

Is 'listening conditionally' really listening ?

When one comes to you to share their deepest spaces, their inner conflicts, their mixed emotions, what they need is an assurance that you will 'listen'. Listen with an unconditional acceptance. That you are there for them, no matter what. 

If one feels they are being judged, how easy does that become for them to open up, to lay themselves bare. If they think you are thinking less of them for their thoughts, their feelings?  Not easy...in fact not even possible. I think the space to speak then becomes more the listeners than the speakers. And then, why listen at all?

Listening is about unconditional acceptance and understanding. 

If I care, can I listen with purpose being to hold and to support. To go a level further, can we hold and share in that space of trust even when it involves us, especially so in our intimate relationships.  Trust that what is being said is not intended to be damaging to me. And if per chance it is, have the generosity (to use Brene Browns word) enough to talk about it, clarify, sort out.

Isn't that the very purpose of open communication .