ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors show how to identify the client’s values. The reason for this is that cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on helping the client to thrive, by building a meaningful and purposeful life, not just on reducing symptoms. Both acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy place emphasis on identifying goals and values as a main part of therapy and as a key indicator when thinking about outcome. Compassion focused therapy contains a strong explicit value of having compassion and empathy towards self and others. ACT teaches that we can bring meaning and purpose to our lives by developing acceptance, or willingness to experience unpleasant emotions, in the interest of focusing on our values and achieving values-related goals. The therapist may need to intervene to reframe the values in more compassionate language.
