What is the goal of using validation in DBT?

The goal of using validation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is to help clients feel accepted and understood. Validation involves acknowledging and affirming a person's feelings, thoughts, and experiences, which can foster a sense of safety and acceptance. This process helps clients to feel heard, thereby enhancing their emotional regulation and increasing their ability to communicate their needs.

By validating a client, the therapist is not agreeing with problematic behaviors but instead recognizing the emotional truth beneath those behaviors. This creates a therapeutic alliance where clients are more likely to open up and engage actively in the therapeutic process. Validation also encourages clients to explore and work through their emotions instead of pushing them away, which can lead to more effective coping strategies and personal growth. Hence, validation serves as a fundamental aspect of DBT, aligning with its core principles of acceptance and change.