Validation therapy uses which of the following approaches to care?

Validation therapy primarily utilizes a holistic approach to care, focusing on the individual as a whole rather than just addressing specific symptoms or conditions. This approach emphasizes the emotional and psychological needs of individuals, particularly those with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

In validation therapy, caregivers validate the feelings and experiences of clients, acknowledging their emotions and perspectives without judgment. This technique is designed to promote dignity and self-worth by allowing individuals to express themselves freely and be heard and understood. By embracing a holistic perspective, validation therapy honors the person’s life history and emotional state, fostering a connection and enhancing the quality of interaction.

The other approaches, while they may play a role in different therapeutic methods, do not encapsulate the essence of validation therapy. For example, a psychiatric approach may focus more on diagnosing and treating mental disorders, a behavioral approach targets specific behaviors through reinforcement strategies, and a supplemental approach would imply adding on to existing methods without the comprehensive nature of holistic care. Hence, the holistic approach captures the core philosophy of validation therapy most accurately.