Levels of Validation
The Validation Revolution
In a study focused on the powerful effects of validation versus invalidation, researchers talked to 52 individuals undergoing treatment and found something incredible. After just five weeks of sessions, participants reported significantly lower levels of negative affect (say goodbye to guilt and shame!) when they engaged with DBT. This was in contrast to individuals in a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) clinic, showing that the DBT approach really makes a difference! This also validates the impact validation has on people. (pun intended)
So what’s behind the magic of DBT validation? Let’s break it down.
The Six Levels of Validation
In DBT, validation is a multi-layered process. Here are the six levels of validation that you can utilize to validate yourself and others:
Being Present: This is all about showing up, both physically and mentally.
Reflect Back: Reflecting back what someone has shared shows that you’re truly listening and acknowledging their experience. It’s saying, “I see you!”
‘Read Minds’: When engaging in conversations, it's crucial to be attuned to what isn't being said. Pay attention to facial expressions, body language, and the context of the situation, along with your prior knowledge of the person. Demonstrate your understanding through both words and actions. Ask yourself what isn’t being said? Or, what’s underneath this anger?
Understand: Current feelings can be connected to past experiences or biological influences! Validate emotions as they may arise from their environment or physiological responses.
Acknowledge the Valid: Demonstrate empathy by acknowledging their emotional experience without judgment, showing that their thoughts and reactions are legitimate given their specific situation.
Show Equality: Be your authentic self with others while treating them as equals. This authenticity fosters trust and openness in relationships.
Why Validation Matters
Why is all this validation so vital, you ask? Many people come to DBT with a history of feeling invalidated—whether from childhood experiences or dismissive environments. This history can contribute to emotional dysregulation, making it challenging to navigate everyday life.
By practicing validation, DBT helps individuals reclaim their emotional experiences, making it easier to manage intense feelings and respond to them constructively. Validating emotion can mean you acknowledge their existence and allow them to be part of your story without shame.
Remember, emotions are messy and beautiful. With DBT, you can learn to embrace them like never before.
References
Benitez, C., Southward, M. W., Altenburger, E. M., Howard, K. P., & Cheavens, J. S. (2019). The within-person effects of validation and invalidation on in-session changes in affect. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 10(5), 406.
Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT® skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.