Validation Vs Advice Giving

Have you ever been hesitant about therapy or wondered why therapy might be more effective than airing out your problems or concerns with a friend? One of the main differences between a therapeutic experience and talking to a friend is that therapy tends to focus on validation and strategies from a third-party perspective. Next time you seek advice from a loved one or are approached by someone facing a difficult situation, reference these tips from Delilah Counseling therapist, Eleanor Smith.

Transcript

Validation and advice-giving often get confused in therapy and what they look like.

Validation is where you understand where the other person's coming from,

Affirming how they're feeling,

Versus advice-giving is telling them what to do.

I understand this time of year can be hard for you,

And I know that it might bring up a lot of feelings around your mom and what's going on with her at home.

You should really think about calling your mom today.

I know she'd really like you to.