Validation and
        Radical Genuineness
        in DBT for Trauma
        Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW & Dr. Kirby Reutter, DBTC,
        LMHC, MAC
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             Content
                 Introduction                                                     2
                 Transcript
                 Applying Validation With Patients With PTSD                      3
                 Transcript
                 How to Use Radical Acceptance Without Being                      5
                 Invalidating
                 Transcript
                 Adapting DBT for Clients With PTSD                               7
                 Transcript
                 How to Integrate DBT With Other Treatments                       8
                 Transcript
                 Main Points                                                      11
                 Transcript
                                                1
      Introduction
      In this segment, Dr. Kirby Reutter, Ph.D., explores both the necessity and the
      challenge of applying the DBT skill of radical acceptance to clients with PTSD.
      He recommends combining radical acceptance with 3 additional DBT skills: meaning,
      prayer, and spiritual mindfulness. He additionally explores the 3 interventions of
      validation, radical genuineness, and irreverence—which are DBT skills for the
      therapist.
      Kirby subsequently introduces the DEAR Self skill, which can be used to teach
      clients self-validation as well as provide clients with a framework to structure a
      trauma narrative.
      Finally, Kirby describes how DBT provides the necessary skills work for patients to
      self-regulate and achieve the necessary stabilization to subsequently proceed with
      deeper trauma work with other models.
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            Applying Validation With Patients
            With PTSD
                     Sheri     How do you apply validation in terms of the therapeutic
                               relationship with patients with PTSD?
                     Kirby     Validation is something I teach the client to use with other
                               people because it’s such an important skill. It’s a mindful
                               attunement with our clients. We reflect on what they’re
                               communicating to us, both verbally and nonverbally.
                               Reflecting on nonverbal communication is important, but it’s a
                               little more subtle. For example, if a client starts to speak faster, I
                               use it as my cue to very subtly accelerate my speech. If a client
                               starts to speak a little more loudly, I use that as my cue to
                               increase the volume slightly on my end.
                               I’m intentionally activating my mirror neurons to make sure
                               they’re syncing with the client’s mirror neurons. Mirroring their
                               nonverbal cues is very validating.
                               Another way of reflecting on their verbal and nonverbal
                               communication is to point out discrepancies. I’ll say, “This is
                               what you just told me with your words, but your body language
                               is telling me something very different. I want to make sure I’m
                               understanding both messages accurately. Can you explain
                               what your body language is telling me?”
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