Valued Domains
Values are the “principles for living” that capture what matters most to people. Elucidating values can serve many therapeutic functions, such as clarifying one’s sense of purpose, informing goal setting and treatment planning, and motivating clients to engage with difficult experiences or challenging therapeutic tasks. Values-focused interventions have a long history in talking therapy and are used in many approaches, with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) being a notable modern example. This Valued Domains information handout is designed to introduce valued domains in an accessible way, and to help clients clarify their values in different areas of their lives, such as their wider family, intimate relationships, work, and spiritual life. Exploring the domains in which values are enacted is an effective and highly motivating introduction to the concept of values for clients, in a way which also promotes psychological flexibility.
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Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
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Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Values in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Values are discussed in many psychotherapies, including logotherapy (Frankl, 1946), person-centered therapy (Rogers, 1964), existential therapy (Yalom, 1980), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; e.g., Beck et al., 2021; McKay et al, 1981), motivational interviewing (e.g., Miller & Rollnick, 2023), behavioral activation (Kanter et al., 2010), and positive psychotherapy (e.g., Slade et al., 2017). Kirschenbuam (2013) provides a comprehensive history of values clarification interventions in counseling, tracing them back to the work of Louis Raths (1963) who was inspired by the work of John Dewey (1909, 1939). Raths’ work was later expanded by Sidney Simon and Merril Hamlin (Raths, Hamin, Simon, 1966, 1978) and by Howard Kirschenabum (Simon, Howe & Kirschenabum, 1972).
Among modern approaches to psychotherapy, ACT has proven to be the most fertile ground for values work. Grounded in basic behavioral principles and relational frame theory, ACT is primarily a behavioral treatment, which
Therapist Guidance
Before starting this task, ensure that the client has a general sense of what values are and why they are important. A brief introduction to values might include:
"The word ‘values’ can mean different things in different contexts. You might use it to talk about your sense of right and wrong, or about goals or things you want to achieve, like being a parent or making money. The values I’d like us to talk about are the ones that reflect “the kind of person you want to be as you move through life”, or “the way you’re living when you’re living a meaningful life”. They’re the qualities you would want to bring to your actions. For example, you might value being caring and supportive in your relationships, or seeking fairness for people who are vulnerable.
I’d like to share a handout that explores areas of your life that might be
References And Further Reading
- Beck, A. T., Grant, P., Inverso, E., Brinen, A. P., & Perivoliotis (2021). Recovery-orientated cognitive therapy for serious mental health conditions. Guilford Press.
- Chase, J. A., Houmanfar, R., Hayes, S. C., Ward, T. A., Vilardaga, J. P., & Follette, V. (2013). Values are not just goals: Online ACT-based values training adds to goal setting in improving undergraduate college student performance. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 2, 79-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.08.002.
- Dahl, J. C., Plumb, J. C., Stewart, I., & Lundgren, T. (2009). The art and science of valuing in psychotherapy: Helping clients discover, explore, and commit to valued action using acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
- Dahl, J., Wilson, K. G., & Nilsson, A. (2004). Acceptance and commitment therapy and the treatment of persons at risk for long-term disability resulting from stress and pain symptoms: A preliminary randomized trial. Behavior Therapy, 35, 785-801. DOI: /10.1016/S0005-7894(04)80020-0.
- Dewey, J. (1909). Moral