Validation#

• What is validation?#

  • A way of communicating empathy & understanding to another person.
  • It does not mean that you like or agree with their thoughts, feelings or actions. It just means that you understand them.

• Why is validation important?#

  • Feeling understood & safe
  • Deescalation of conflict & intense emotions
  • Builds up identity & sense of self
  • Helps to build a community of like-minded & safe people
  • Ensures trust and understanding when communicating with others
  • Opens the door for full communication, even in emotionally difficult situations

What is invalidation?#

• Communicating that someone’s feelings aren’t real or don’t matter, and therefore aren’t worthy of time or respect.

  • Can be communicated through words or actions, either intentionally or unintentionally

• A form of denial, and a sign that you may need to radically accept a situation

  Validate the valid, not the invalid. Validate the emotion, not the behaviour.