Validation: A Family Centered Communication Skill

Validation is a very useful communication skill for your professional and personal life. I surprised myself that I have not thought of this perspective prior to now. Simply put, a person will not be comfortable and open to your comments until they feel they have been heard and understood. Wow! That makes perfect sense once you digest this thought. In a lot of settings, professional and personal, we are listening to another’s comments but not always digesting their feelings. I can find myself thinking of how to solve their issue or how to make their situation better. If I do not allow their comments to sit for a moment before I respond, the other person(s) might not believe I truly understand them or their need. It is so often in our professional setting we encounter repetitive situations and therefore already know a solution or a suggested solution. If the other party does not feel I am actively listening and considering what I am being told they are not going to receive my response fully because they feel they have not been heard. “Validation affirms that the nurse is both listening and hearing. If affirms that the individual and the relationship are important to the nurse even in the presences of disagreement.” (Harvey, 144) Think about it. If
Thus, feeling as if they are not being heard or understood and not benefiting from their consultation with a colleague. This is the same situation with the patient. Feeling misunderstood, anxious, or ignored can only damage the relationship regarding of the parties involved. One needs to focus on the right type of validation the person needs. Sympathetic, nurturing, or compassion without losing yourself into their feelings would be beneficial to all