What is an example of functional validation?

Functional validation refers to recognizing and affirming a person's emotional experience as legitimate, without necessarily agreeing with their viewpoint or interpretation of the situation. It acknowledges the emotions or responses the individual is experiencing.

Choosing the example of handing a tissue when a client starts to cry encapsulates functional validation effectively. This action acknowledges the client's distress and provides a supportive response that demonstrates understanding and care for their emotional state. By offering a tissue, the therapist not only recognizes the client's tears as a valid emotional response but also provides them with a resource to help cope, which can be very comforting.

In contrast, while listening without interruption, asking empathic questions, and reflecting back what the client has said are all important therapeutic skills, they do not capture the essence of functional validation in quite the same direct way. Listening is essential for building rapport, and asking empathic questions can deepen understanding, while reflection helps clarify communication. However, they don't necessarily convey the same degree of immediate emotional acknowledgment and support that handing a tissue does, making that choice the most representative example of functional validation.