Validation in DBT refers to offering the client verbal and nonverbal support and confirmation. The emphasis on validation in DBT grew out of observations in the late 1970s that many clients experienced behavioral therapy as invalidating; this led to resistance and sometimes withdrawal from therapy.
What does validation mean in therapy?
Validation means that you understand where the other person is coming from, even if you disagree with what they say or do (Rather & Miller, 2015). Recognizing that someone’s feelings and thoughts make sense can show that we are listening nonjudgmentally and can help build stronger relationships, especially in therapy.
What are the 6 levels of validation?
- Being Present. …
- Accurate Reflection. …
- Reading Someone’s Behavior. …
- Understanding Someone’s Behavior in Context of Their Experience. …
- Recognizing Emotional Reactions. …
- Radical Genuineness.
