Free Values Clarification Worksheet: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Core Direction Planner
ACT · ACT · Research-supported
A foundational ACT planning framework to help clients explore, define and sort their core self-directed values across major life domains. This worksheet serves as a behavioural guide, aligning daily tasks with meaning rather than escape.
Underlying mechanism: Values Clarification & Value-Directed Behavioural Activation
What it helps with
- Differentiating authentic, internal values (e.g., adventure, connection) from social obligations or fear-based expectations.
- Sorting values across domains: Relationships, Career, Community/Leisure and Wellness/Self-Care.
- Highlighting value-action gaps (e.g., highly valuing health but devoting zero active time to self-care).
- Formulating micro-committed actions (small, doable weekly steps) aligned with top-priority values.
How clinicians use it
- In the middle stages of ACT (Session 3-5) to transition clients out of pure symptom reduction and into committed behavioural action.
- To resolve therapist-client gridlock when anxiety treatment plateaus due to a lack of meaningful life directions.
- As a collaborative sorting companion alongside physical or digital values card decks.
Clinical ACT Integration Protocol
- Limit Top Choices: Force hard, intentional choices by limiting clients to a maximum of 3 top values per domain.
- Anticipate Obstacles: Ask: "What uncomfortable thoughts or feelings (e.g., anxiety, guilt) will show up when you take this step?"
- Willingness Check: Assess willingness: "Are you willing to carry that anxiety with you if it means living this value?"
What the worksheet looks like
| Life Domain | Core Values Selected | Current Alignment Rating (1-10) | Small Committed Action step (This Week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Relationships | Authentic connection, vulnerability, active presence. | 4 / 10 | Invite my brother for a 15-minute phone call without checking my email during it. |
| 2. Personal Growth & Career | Curiosity, lifelong learning, creative independence. | 7 / 10 | Read one research paper on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy on Wednesday evening. |
| 3. Self-Care & Health | Physical vitality, compassionate boundaries, rest. | 2 / 10 | Take a 20-minute walk at lunch without taking work calls, allowing myself to unwind. |
Clinical cautions
Ensure the client understands that values are directions of travel (like heading West), not finite goals to achieve and tick off (like reaching a city). Values represent ongoing qualities of action.
References
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Harris, R. (2019). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read guide to the principles and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
Part of
ACT (Acceptance & Commitment) Matrix Toolkit
Related worksheets
Next steps
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