The Art & Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy: Helping Clients Discover, Explore, and Commit to Valued Action Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

258 Pages·2009·1.47 MB·English

by  JoAnne C. Dahl

“Values work is at the core of many forms of modern psychotherapy. This diverse
team of authors has produced a real gem that will illuminate how a focus on values
can inform every aspect of psychotherapy, from case conceptualization to the
therapeutic relationship. At once accessible and profound, it dances effortlessly
between basic behavioral science and the deepest clinical issues in a way that will
leave no serious reader unchanged. Highly recommended.”
— Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., University of Nevada Foundation Professor of
Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno
“This invaluable and inspirational guide to helping clients live meaningful and
passionate lives is replete with conceptually clear explanations and high-impact
exercises. This book belongs in the library of any practitioner who yearns to make
a difference personally and professionally.”
— Mavis Tsai, Ph.D., independent practitioner and clinical faculty
member at the University of Washington
“Helping clients identify their values and move toward acting on them is one of the
central components of ACT and, sometimes, a challenging task for therapists. This
book provides practitioners with all the knowledge and tools required to accom-
plish this in therapy. Readers will appreciate the wealth of new information, exer-
cises, worksheets, and suggestions related to enhancing value-guided behavior in
their clients. This book is a great resource for any therapist who wants to help
clients live richer, more fulfilling lives.”
— Georg Eifert, Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of
psychology at Chapman University in Orange, CA
“This book is a guide to putting meaning, heart, and inspiration into therapy. The
authors skillfully illustrate how basic research on language and cognition applies to
clinical situations. This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in values
and meaning in therapy or for those interested in how relational frame theory
applies to clinical practice.”
— Jason B. Luoma, Ph.D., psychologist at Portland Psychotherapy Clinic,
Research, and Training Center, and coauthor of Learning ACT
“The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy is an exciting book for therapists! This well
written and accessible book guides the therapist through the process of helping the
client to contact and instantiate a values-based life in a thoughtful and straightfor-
ward fashion. The authors truly brought valued living to life. It was a pleasure to
read and I look forward to using it in my own therapeutic practice.”
—Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., coauthor of Learning ACT
The Art &
Science
of Valuing
in Psychotherapy
Helping Clients Discover, Explore,
and Commit to Valued Action Using
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
JOANNE C. DAHL, PH.D.
JENNIFER C. PLUMB, MA
IAN STEWART, PH.D.
TOBIAS LUNDGREN, MS
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter
covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial,
legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional
should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2009 by Joanne Dahl, Jennifer C. Plumb, Ian Stewart, & Tobias Lundgren
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
All Rights Reserved
Acquired by Melissa Kirk; Cover design by Amy Shoup;
Edited by Jasmine Star; Text design by Tracy Marie Carlson
PDF ISBN: 978-1-60882-297-3
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as:
The art and science of valuing in psychotherapy : helping clients discover, explore, and commit to valued
action using acceptance and commitment therapy / JoAnne C. Dahl ... [et al.].
      p. ; cm.
 Includes bibliographical references and index.
 ISBN-13: 978-1-57224-626-3 (hardcover : alk. paper)
 ISBN-10: 1-57224-626-X (hardcover : alk. paper)
 1.  Acceptance and commitment therapy. 2.  Values.  I. Dahl, JoAnne, 1951-
 [DNLM: 1.  Cognitive Therapy--methods. 2.  Adaptation, Psychological.
3.  Social Values.  WM 425.5.C6 A784 2009]
 RC489.A32A78 2009
 616.89’1425--dc22
                                                           2009014693
To my Dad, Walter, who has always been and still is an inspiration of vitality in my
life. Your daughter number 2,
– JoAnne
To my family, friends, and labbies for living and loving with vitality. You are my
valued action team.
– Jen
To my family and friends—sources of much-appreciated intrinsic reinforcement.
– Ian
To Mom and Dad, for your never-ending love and support, YNWA.
– Tobias

Contents
A Letter from the Series Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiii
CHAPTER 1
An Introduction to Values in ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4 Philosophical Assumptions 4 Behavior Analysis and Values
4 ACT, Values, and Modern Psychotherapy 4 Summary
CHAPTER 2
ACT and RFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4 Relational Frame Theory 4 Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy 4 Summary
CHAPTER 3
Fusion and Potential Language Traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4 Uncovering the Problem: The Effects of Fusion 4 Language Trap
1: Fusion with the Conceptualized Self 4 Language Trap 2: Fusion with
The Art & Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy
Thoughts About Feelings 4 Language Trap 3: Fusion with the Verbal
Constructions of Reasons and Rules 4 Language Trap 4: Fusion with
Outcome 4 Summary
CHAPTER 4
The Process of Valuing in ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4 Step 1: Identifying Core Values 4 Step 2: Looking at the Function
of Behavior 4 Step 3: Choosing Goals in Service of Values 4 Step
4: Evaluating Choices and Creating Patterns of Action 4 Summary
CHAPTER 5
Compassion and the Therapeutic Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
4 Compassion for Self: A Prerequisite 4 The Role of Values in
the Therapeutic Relationship 4 The Therapeutic Process: History
Meets History 4 Improving the Therapeutic Relationship
4 A Declaration of Therapist Values 4 When Client and Therapist
Values Clash 4 Summary
CHAPTER 6
Values-Based Case Conceptualization and Assessment . . . . . 105
4 Values and Common Presenting Problems 4 Establishing the Life
Line: An Experiential Metaphor 4 Case Conceptualization
Summary 4 Assessing Your Client’s Values Using the Bull’s-Eye
4 Therapeutic Pitfalls When Using Values Assessments 4 Creating
the Context for Committing to a Valued Path 4 Summary
CHAPTER 7
ACT Core Processes and Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
4 Defusion: Letting Go of Literality 4 Present Moment Awareness:
Cultivating Openness to Experience 4 Cultivating Self-as-Context:
The Self That Transcends Experiences 4 Acceptance and Willingness:
Living a Valued Life When Psychological Pain Is Present 4 Summary
vi
CHAPTER 8
Developing and Maintaining Committed Action . . . . . . . . . . 161
4 Flexibility: A Key Element in Valued Actions 4 Trying On a Value
4 What Maintains Values? 4 Stimulating Committed Action Using
the Bull’s-Eye Worksheet 4 Staying on a Valued Track in Therapy
4 Developing Valued Action Plans with Your Clients 4 Summary
CHAPTER 9
The Values Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
4 The Values Compass: Creating a Course for Therapy 4 Using
the Values Compass at the Start of Therapy 4 Applying the Values
Compass Midtherapy 4 Applying the Values Compass Near the End of
Therapy 4 Living in Accordance with Values: Some Important Issues
4 Summary
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
vii