Values Clarification: Exercises in Between Sessions
Booz Allen
Department of Veterans Affairs
Yale University
University of Nevada, Reno
Key Points
1- Provide a semi-structured initial values clarification exercise to work in between sessions.
2- Such an exercise could include:
- Choosing 2–3 value domains,
- Writing a description,
- Choosing goals,
- Identifying barriers, and
- Rating consistency.
3- Follow up on this homework.
4- There will be useful information to glean from their experience of the exercise.
Materials Downloads
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Transcript
So, I’ve spoken to you about what you might do in an initial 1 or 2 sessions focused on values clarification with a trauma client. And obviously, it’s important what you do in the session.
But as I’ve mentioned, I think it’s equally, if not more important, to also focus on what the client does in between sessions in order to advance their understanding and integrate what they’re learning into their daily lives. So, after introducing the concept of values and how values can help motivate the challenging work ahead, it can be useful to have the person take on a brief values clarification exercise for homework. So, for this homework—or remember you can use other terms like “between-session practice” or whatever resonates with your client—but for the sake of expediency, I’ll just call it homework.
Meyer, E. C., Hermann, B. A., & Walser, R. D. (2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders in veterans. Unpublished treatment manual.
You’ll want to have a piece of paper in front of you where you’ve listed out a variety of potential valued life domains. So, as I’ve mentioned, this can be work, school, intimate relationships, family, friendships, personal growth, physical health, community, spirituality, religion—whatever you think might be important to this person.
Meyer, E. C., Hermann, B. A., & Walser, R. D. (2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders in veterans. Unpublished treatment manual.