The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy Jennifer Plumb

Why Do So Many Clients Feel Stuck?

Have you ever felt like you are running on a treadmill—working hard but going nowhere? Many individuals enter therapy seeking relief from pain, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of avoidance that drains their life of meaning. This is where the groundbreaking work found in The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy Jennifer Plumb co-authored becomes essential. By shifting the focus from merely eliminating symptoms to building a life rich with purpose, this approach offers a beacon of hope for both therapists and clients navigating the complexities of human suffering.

What Exactly Is “Valuing” in the Context of ACT?

To understand the core of this methodology, we must first distinguish between a “value” and a “goal.” In the realm of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a value is not a destination you reach; it is a direction you travel. As described in the foundational text, valuing is an individual’s verbal description of overarching life goals that add purpose, meaning, and motivation to actions in specific moments .

Unlike goals, which can be checked off a list (e.g., “get married” or “lose 10 pounds”), values are ongoing qualities of action (e.g., “being a loving partner” or “living healthily”). Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga, who completed her doctoral training with ACT founder Steven C. Hayes, emphasizes that valuing is central to ACT, yet few therapists truly understand how to engage clients in this complex process . Without this understanding, therapy can inadvertently become a struggle to suppress thoughts rather than a journey toward meaningful living.

The Difference Between Goals and Values

How Can Therapists Help Clients Discover Their True Values?

One of the most common challenges in therapy is helping clients differentiate between what they think they should value and what they actually value. Society, family expectations, and past traumas often cloud this internal compass. The book provides practical tools, including easy-to-understand metaphors and defusion exercises, to help clear this fog .

Step-by-Step Guide to Uncovering Values

If you are a practitioner looking to implement these strategies, consider this structured approach inspired by Plumb’s methodologies:

1. Create Psychological Safety: Before diving into values, ensure the client feels safe. Use mindfulness exercises to ground them in the present moment.
2. The “Funeral Exercise”: Ask the client to visualize their own funeral. What would they want their loved ones to say about how they lived? This powerful metaphor bypasses intellectual defenses and touches deep emotional truths.
3. Identify Pain Points: Often, our deepest values are hidden behind our greatest pains. If a client is terrified of rejection, they likely value connection deeply. As noted in workshop materials, identifying “monsters on the bus” (fears) helps clarify where the client wants to go (values) .
4. Use Card Sorts: Utilize physical or digital value cards to help clients sort through domains like family, work, health, and spirituality. This tactile process makes abstract concepts concrete.
5. Refine the Language: Help the client shift from noun-based values (“I want happiness”) to verb-based values (“I want to act joyfully”).

Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga has been a practicing psychologist for over a decade, refining these techniques to empower meaningful living across diverse populations . Her experience suggests that the “art” lies in the therapist’s ability to listen empathetically, while the “science” lies in the structured application of Relational Frame Theory (RFT) principles.

Why Is the Combination of Art and Science Crucial for Success?

The title of the book itself highlights a dual necessity: the art of human connection and the science of behavioral change. Relying solely on one leads to incomplete treatment.

The Science: Evidence-Based Frameworks

The scientific backbone of this approach is rooted in Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which explains how human language creates suffering. Research indicates that assessing the valuing process is critical for measuring outcomes in ACT . By understanding the linguistic mechanisms that trap clients in rigid rule-following, therapists can scientifically deconstruct these barriers. For instance, studies have shown that psychological flexibility—the ability to contact the present moment and change behavior in service of values—is a key mediator of mental health outcomes .

The Art: The Therapeutic Alliance

However, data alone cannot heal. The “art” involves the nuanced delivery of interventions. It requires the therapist to know when to push for committed action and when to offer acceptance. As highlighted in various workshops led by Dr. Plumb, the therapeutic relationship serves as the vehicle for this change . A rigid application of protocols without empathy can feel mechanical and invalidating to a suffering client.

“Valuing is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a heart-centered practice grounded in scientific rigor.”

For further reading on the theoretical underpinnings of psychotherapy and the evolution of behavioral sciences, you can explore general resources on Wikipedia.

What Are the Common Barriers to Valued Living?

Even when clients identify their values, moving toward them is rarely a straight line. Several barriers frequently emerge, and addressing them is a core component of the work described by Plumb and her colleagues.

1. Cognitive Fusion

Clients often get “fused” with thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “It’s too dangerous to try.” These thoughts act as roadblocks. Defusion techniques teach clients to see thoughts as mere words, not absolute truths.

2. Experiential Avoidance

This is the attempt to suppress unwanted feelings. Paradoxically, avoiding pain often narrows a person’s life. The ACT model posits that we must make room for discomfort to move toward what matters.

3. Lack of Concrete Action Plans

Values are vague without action. A client may value “health,” but without a specific plan (e.g., “walk for 20 minutes every morning”), the value remains abstract.

Comparison: Avoidance vs. Valued Action

How Does This Approach Apply to Real-World Scenarios?

The utility of The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy extends beyond the clinic. Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga has applied these principles in varied settings, from outpatient psychotherapy to specialized medical contexts .

Case Study Example: Consider “Sarah,” a high-performing executive suffering from burnout.

• Traditional Approach: Focus on stress reduction techniques and time management. Result: Temporary relief, followed by recurrence.
• Valuing Approach (Plumb’s Method):
  1. Discovery: Sarah realizes she values “connection with family” and “creativity,” but her current work habits contradict these.
  2. Defusion: She learns to notice the thought “If I leave early, I’m a failure” without obeying it.
  3. Committed Action: She commits to leaving work at 5:00 PM twice a week to have dinner with her children, regardless of the anxiety this triggers.
  4. Result: While work stress remains, her sense of meaning increases, reducing the impact of the stress.

This aligns with findings that value-based living empowers individuals to navigate trauma and chronic pain more effectively .

FAQ Section

1. Is “The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy” suitable for beginners in ACT?

Yes, the book is designed as a complete guide for mental health practitioners, offering easy-to-understand metaphors and step-by-step tools that make complex ACT concepts accessible even to those new to the modality .

2. How is Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga connected to the founder of ACT?

Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga completed her doctoral training directly under Steven C. Hayes, PhD, the founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, giving her work a strong lineage in original ACT theory .

3. Can values change over time?

Absolutely. While core values often remain stable, their expression and priority can shift as a person moves through different life stages. The “science” of valuing acknowledges this fluidity and encourages regular re-evaluation.

4. What if a client’s values conflict with societal norms?

In ACT, values are chosen freely by the individual. The therapist’s role is not to judge these values but to help the client live consistently with them, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others. This non-judgmental stance is crucial for building trust.

5. How does “valuing” differ from traditional goal setting in therapy?

Traditional goal setting focuses on specific, measurable outcomes (SMART goals). Valuing focuses on the quality of action in the present moment. You can live your values even if you never achieve a specific goal, whereas failing a goal can feel like a total loss.

6. Are there specific exercises recommended for trauma survivors?

Yes, Dr. Plumb has specifically developed handouts and approaches for living with trauma, emphasizing safety and pacing while gently introducing values work to prevent re-traumatization .

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey of Meaning

The path to psychological healing is not about erasing the past or silencing negative thoughts; it is about building a future worth living for. The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy Jennifer Plumb helped pioneer offers a robust framework for this transformation, blending empirical rigor with deep human empathy. By mastering the balance between accepting our inner experiences and committing to valued actions, we unlock a level of vitality that symptom-focused treatments often miss.

Whether you are a therapist seeking to deepen your practice or an individual striving for a more meaningful life, the principles of valuing provide a compass that works in any storm. Did this article resonate with you? Share these insights on your favorite social media platforms to help others discover the power of values-based living. Let’s start a conversation about what truly matters.