ABSTRACT
Goals and values have motivational properties. Goals refer to specific changes and achievements that can be measured and can help to focus therapy and quantify success. If specific goals are linked to broader values, then therapeutic outcomes may be improved. This approach is central to a therapeutic method known as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The chronicity of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) often results in major life changes. Many people find that chest pain prevents them from living life as they used to. Most patients will have the goal of reducing pain. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is collaborative, based on guided discovery. CBT for NCCP is based on scientific evidence that it is effective, but everyone is different. Specialist chest pain clinics report that three quarters of their patients have pain that is unrelated to their heart. These other possible causes of chest pain have good medical prognoses.
