Values: Connecting To What Matters
Values: Connecting To What Matters is a practical self-help guide which introduces the reader to a cornerstone of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Framed as “helping you live a well-lived life”, the guide introduces the reader to an ACT understanding of pain and suffering, and explains how values can keep people focused on what makes their lives meaningful. Important qualities of values are described with accessible case examples and metaphors before the reader is guided through a series of practical exercises. These help them to practice choosing their values, examine values that are already present in their life, and explore the domains of their life where their values are present or absent. Finally, the guide encourages readers to take actionable steps towards living in line with their identified values, creating a consistent and value-driven life path. This guide was developed in collaboration with Dr Jenna LeJeune, co-author of Values in Therapy: A Clinician's Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life.
Download or send
Choose your language
Guide (PDF)
A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.
Related resources
Tags
Languages this resource is available in
Problems this resource might be used to address
Techniques associated with this resource
Mechanisms associated with this resource
Introduction & Theoretical Background
During difficult times, our struggles can pull us away from what matters most. Values: Connecting To What Matters is a practical and accessible resource that equips people with the tools needed to reconnect with their values, enabling people to cultivate meaningful, well-lived lives even in the midst of adversity. It was developed in collaboration with Dr Jenna LeJeune, a ACT Peer Reviewed Trainer, and co-author of Values in Therapy: A Clinician's Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life.
Technically, values are desired qualities of ongoing action. Poetically, they’re our heart’s deepest desires for how we want to treat ourselves, others, and the world around us during our brief time upon this planet. Metaphorically, they’re like a compass: they give us direction, keep us on track, and help us find our way when we get lost.
(Harris, 2019.)
Values are a
Therapist Guidance
This is a Psychology Tools guide. Suggested uses include:
- Client handout. Use as a psychoeducation and skills-development resource.
- Discussion point. Provoke a discussion and explore client beliefs.
- Therapist learning tool. Improve your familiarity with a psychological construct.
- Teaching resource. Use as a learning tool during training.
References And Further Reading
- Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
- Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J., & Levin, M. E. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change. The Counseling Psychologist, 40(7), 976-1002. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000012460836
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy 2nd edition: the process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press.
- Hayes, S. (2019). A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters. New York: Avery.
- Hitlin, S., & Piliavin, J. A. (2004). Values: Reviving a dormant concept. Annual Review of Sociology, 30, 359-393.
- LeJeune, J., & Luoma, J. B. (2019). Values in therapy: A clinician’s guide to helping clients explore values, increase psychological flexibility, and live a more meaningful life. New Harbinger Publications.
- Luoma, J. B., Hayes, S. C., & Walser, R. D. (2007). Learning ACT: An acceptance &