Which technique may foster dependency by labeling the client's behavior?

The technique that may foster dependency by labeling the client's behavior is approval. When a professional frequently labels a client’s behavior with approval, it can create a situation where the client seeks validation from the professional to feel good about themselves or their actions. This reliance on positive reinforcement can develop into a dependency, as the client may come to rely heavily on the approval to maintain their self-esteem or confidence.

In fostering this dependency, the client may feel that their worth is connected to receiving acknowledgment or praise from the professional, which can limit their ability to self-evaluate and recognize their own strengths and progress independently. Thus, while approval may appear supportive, it can inadvertently lead to an unhealthy reliance, reinforcing the client's need for external validation rather than developing an internal sense of self-worth.

Other techniques, such as disagreeing, belittling, or changing the subject, do not necessarily reinforce a dependency on the professional. Disagreeing may challenge the client’s viewpoint, belittling undermines the client's confidence in a damaging way, and changing the subject often redirects the conversation without addressing the client’s needs.