Practitioners can recognise that problematic behaviours engaged in by young people are often maladaptive coping strategies in response to distress. These behaviours might have been developed and reinforced over time and in some cases have been learnt at a young age from caregivers. Practitioners can respectfully introduce that idea that behaviours causing problems for the young person are unhelpful and that alternatives exist that might be more helpful.

G1i. Validation strategies
Before giving feedback, it is necessary to validate the young person’s experiences and responses. This communicates that the practitioner does not judge them for their responses, and that the distress is ‘allowed’ thereby avoiding repeating the invalidating environment that many young person have experienced.

C1iv. Feedback
This CBT technique gives an overview of providing feedback as a part of the therapeutic process, with a focus on beginning with positive reinforcement before introducing challenges.