There's a book, "Fighting For Your Marriage" that is pretty good at describing, with examples, of how to 'active listen'. I think Active Listening, restating in your own words what the other person is saying, summing it up, adding that you heard the emotion behind the message..is one way to validate..
They want to be heard. They want to be understood.
M44 H46 T21 Married 16y D14 D12 Bomb 12/08(EA), (PA/Separation)1/09 to 5/09 Home/MC 5/09 to 12/09 Leaves 12/09 Files for Divorce Divorce final 6/30/10.
