Books Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life   Caroline Fleck PhD (Author

"Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life" by Dr. Caroline Fleck is a groundbreaking book that reveals the power of validation—the act of acknowledging and affirming another person's experiences—as a key to lasting personal and interpersonal change. Fleck draws on research from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to show how validation is an essential skill for improving relationships, reducing conflict, building trust, and fostering self-compassion.

The book explains that validation works because humans are wired to seek acceptance and belonging, often even more than logical reasoning or material rewards. It introduces eight specific skills for effective validation, including mirroring, acknowledgment, and affirmation, which can be practiced to create deeper connections and influence positive behavioral change in oneself and others.

Dr. Fleck provides engaging stories, humor, and practical exercises that make validation accessible to anyone seeking more authentic and harmonious relationships—whether at home, work, or in social movements. The book also explores the pitfalls of “negative validation,” where people seek attention through oppositional or contrarian behavior.