Explore what matters most to you across key life domains to guide goal-setting and behavioural activation.
Rate how important each life domain is to you, then rate how consistent your current actions are with each value. Use this to identify areas where you might want to make changes.
Use when the client's depression has led to disconnection from what matters to them, or when behavioural activation needs grounding in personally meaningful goals rather than generic activity scheduling. Also valuable when the client reports feeling empty, directionless, or questions the point of engaging in treatment.
Frame as reconnecting with what matters: 'Depression has a way of disconnecting us from the things we care about most. I'd like us to spend some time exploring what really matters to you, your values, so we can make sure the changes we work on in therapy are moving you toward a life that feels meaningful.'
For clients who struggle to identify values due to prolonged depression, use prompts such as 'What did you care about before you became depressed?' or 'What would you want your life to stand for?' For those who confuse values with goals, clarify that values are directions, not destinations.
Use with caution if the client's current life circumstances make their valued directions feel impossible, as this could increase hopelessness. Avoid if the client is in acute crisis where stabilisation is the priority. Not a substitute for addressing active suicidal ideation.
Values work bridges behavioural activation and acceptance-based approaches. Discrepancies between current activity and stated values provide powerful motivation for change. Revisit the values assessment periodically to check whether therapy targets remain aligned with what matters most to the client.
Suitable for clients working with values, act, motivation, goals, behavioural activation. This tool can be used as a standalone worksheet or as part of a structured homework plan.
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The classic cognitive restructuring tool. Identify automatic thoughts, evaluate the evidence, and develop more balanced alternatives.
Identify your core values and assess how well your current activities align with them — then plan changes to close the gap.
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A structured 6-step safety plan for crisis intervention and suicide prevention.