DBT · DBT

Validation Levels

Linehan's 6 levels

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Linehan's 6 levels of validation. Higher isn't always better — match the level to the moment.

  • 1 — Being awake and paying attention
  • 2 — Accurate reflection
  • 3 — Reading between the lines
  • 4 — Validating based on causes / history
  • 5 — Validating as reasonable in the moment
  • 6 — Radical genuineness (equal to equal)
Situation
Level used
Impact
Level I could have used
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