Emotional Validation

Communicating that a partner's feelings make sense given their experience — even if you wouldn't feel the same way and even if you disagree with their conclusions. Validation is not agreement; it's acknowledgment. "I can understand why you'd feel hurt by that" can be true even if you didn't intend to cause hurt. Consistent lack of validation is one of the fastest ways to erode connection.

Origin

DBT (Marsha Linehan); broad clinical use