When we’re faced with challenging conversations or criticized without validation, our natural response may involve anger or shutting down. This can harm the relationship in the long run. Validation serves as a valuable skill that improves relationships, de-escalates intense emotions, and helps with effective communication.
The DBT Validating Others Worksheet asks clients to recall a situation where they validated someone else, such as a friend or family member. They’re encouraged to describe the details of the situation — including the validating statement they said and the outcome of the situation. This worksheet benefits kids and teens by increasing their empathy and awareness as they reflect on a past interaction. We suggest using this worksheet with our DBT Validating Others handout, which serves as an educational resource.
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References:
- Herr, N. R., Meier, E. P., Weber, D. M., & Cohn, D. M. (2017). Validation of Emotional Experience Moderates the Relation between Personality and Aggression. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 8(2), 126–139. https://doi.org/10.5127/jep.057216
- Overgaauw, S., Rieffe, C., Broekhof, E., Crone, E. A., & Güroğlu, B. (2017). Assessing Empathy across Childhood and Adolescence: Validation of the Empathy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (EmQue-CA). Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00870
