Let Values Be Your Guide

Living a Rich & Meaningful Life: Sarah’s Values-Based Approach

At the heart of our work together is a commitment to helping you build a life that is truly rich, full, and meaningful, even in the face of life's inevitable challenges. We will draw heavily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a cutting-edge, evidence-based approach that centers on your deepest values.

What is a Values-Based Approach?

Often, when you or I struggle, we can get caught in a cycle of avoidance or unhelpful patterns. ACT helps us to gently unhook from these struggles and instead turn our attention towards what truly matters to us.

  • Identifying Your Values: We'll work collaboratively to clarify your personal values – not what you "should" value, but what genuinely gives your life meaning and purpose. These aren't just abstract ideas; they are your chosen life directions, like compassion, growth, connection, or creativity.

  • Psychological Flexibility: The goal isn't to eliminate difficult thoughts or feelings, but to develop psychological flexibility. This means learning to be present with your experiences (even uncomfortable ones) with an open, curious, and accepting stance, rather than fighting against them.

  • Taking Committed Action: Once we have clarity on your values and you've cultivated greater flexibility, we'll focus on committed action. This involves taking concrete, values-guided steps, even when fear, doubt, or discomfort show up. It's about moving towards the life you want to live, one meaningful action at a time.

  • Defusion and Acceptance: We'll explore techniques like cognitive defusion (learning to see thoughts as just thoughts, not literal truths) and acceptance (making space for difficult emotions rather than pushing them away). This frees up energy that might otherwise be spent in unhelpful internal battles.

By focusing on your values and developing these core ACT skills, you can learn to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs with greater resilience, purpose, and vitality, ultimately living in alignment with what truly matters to you.