What are interventions in therapy?

In therapy, interventions are those deliberate questions or techniques that we use to promote insight, change, or progress toward a client’s goals. Interventions are really fun! Therapists want our clients to get better, despite this looking like a poor business model (I say, “looking” because helping people once means they are more likely to both seek help again, and to tell their friends/family about their positive experience). However, jumping too fast into interventions isn’t the best way forward.

Why jumping ahead doesn’t work

A clear sign that a client is not yet ready for a therapy intervention is when they say those two words we’ve all heard dozens of times by people who aren’t convinced of something; “yeah, but.” When I hear those words used, that’s a sign to me that I’m going too fast and I need to slow down. Slow down how? I have to go back to validation.

What is validation and why do therapists do it?

Validation is a necessary step in the therapeutic process. It is the process by which we help people feel heard by paraphrasing/mirroring back their feelings, thoughts, or experiences. We convey that it is understandable what they are experiencing, given the circumstances. This process is necessary for many reasons! It conveys to the client that we understand them, that they are not judged, and that we are understanding the problem in the same way. This last point is very important because if I don’t paraphrase, I may be understanding you differently than you intend. Paraphrasing gives clients a chance to say, “that’s right/not right” either verbally or non-verbally. It also gives you an opportunity to correct me if I’m understanding something wrong. We need to aim at the problem/solution together, otherwise we will be going in different directions. Overall, it is an exercise in building trust in therapy.

Does validation mean agreement?

Of course not! And that’s okay. Sometimes clients want to feel us out and make sure we agree with them before continuing. Just think through how impossible this requirement actually is; how could a therapist possibly agree with every single thing that every single client states? That part is not necessary. It is also not our job to sway you to our way of seeing things. We are not all-knowing or some sort of wise sages. We operate from a lens of, “the client is the expert on their life.” Having said that, I am also well aware of the blind-spots that people can experience, and the importance of objective morals.

Final Thoughts

Once a person feels validated enough, we can go back to interventions. This is an ongoing process throughout the therapeutic experience. It is one of those steps that will be revisited throughout. If you’ve ever felt like people rush to fix things before really hearing you, therapy offers a space to slow down. A space to feel understood before moving toward change. If this way of working resonates with you, you’re welcome to reach out. I’d be glad to help you find what works for you.