The word reassurance has come up a lot in my sessions and me wanting it from T. I was always told my feelings were wrong as a child. My T said she reassures me in our session and that maybe that's not exactly what I'm seeking. She told me to think about affirmation vs validation. I don't like the definitions I'm finding.
How would you all contrast the two? She said she's not going to validate my feelings because they should stand on their own. I take that to mean I should know they are real and not need someone else to tell me they are. I agree. Is affirmation her telling me she believes me?
I wish my parents had discussed feelings more when I was younger.