DBT Validating Others Handout

Validation is vital to building trusting and supportive relationships, and is an important interpersonal effectiveness skill in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Even when we disagree with someone, it’s still possible to validate their emotions and experiences. Mastering the art of validation allows empathy to grow and shifts a person’s energy from resistance to cooperation and understanding. The DBT Validating Others Handout offers practical tips for validating others in different interpersonal situations. Some of these tips include active listening, using your body language to convey that you’re paying attention, and being understanding. Practicing the techniques in the handout allows kids and teens to show kindness and compassion towards others. You can suggest exercises and activities where validation can be applied, such as during conversations with friends, family discussions, and whenever a classmate is feeling nervous about giving a presentation. Our DBT Validating Others Wor