deducecanoe:

utteranonymity:

Fun little trick I learned in therapy: validation. When someone is upset, don’t try to fix the problem, point out the cause, or tell them it could be worse. Just validate their emotions. Be like, ‘shit yeah man, that sucks. I’m sorry you’re going through that. I’m here for you.’ That’s literally all you have to do to make them feel better. Thank you and goodnight.

This is all lost people want or need. Just to know they are valid in their feelings of being hurt or worried or overwhelmed, etc. trying to fix it or downplay it can be insulting because you are taking that persons agency away or saying they aren’t smart enough to think of these things. It hurts. Just a simple you are not overreacting and yes that is awful can actually be healing for someone to hear.