Values in Therapy: An Intro to Working with Values from an ACT Perspective
January 19, 2024 | 12:00pm-2:00pm PST
w/ Jenna LeJeune, PhD

About The Workshop
Values work is an integral component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It can be argued that values are the core of the therapy. Guiding every ACT intervention, values provide the “why” in any ACT-based treatment plan. In addition, it is often the emphasis on values, with its shift away from focusing on symptom-reduction or psychopathology, towards helping clients live lives of meaning, purpose, and vitality even in the face of pain, that draws both clients and clinicians to ACT. This workshop will provide a theoretical and conceptual overview of values from a contextual behavioral science perspective. We will cover the “what”, “why”, “when”, and “how” of values within ACT. While we will also provide an overview of various values exercises and measures that can be used with clients, the emphasis in this workshop will be on providing a foundational framework that will help clinicians approach values work from a functional perspective rather than a primarily technique-focused approach.
This workshop is part one of a series on values within ACT with Jenna LeJeune, PhD. Check out the other two workshops in the series:
Truffle Hunting: Bringing Values to Life in the Therapy Room (February 23, 2024)
Values Stuck Points: When Psychological Inflexibility Creates Barriers to Valued Living (March 15, 2024)
Meet Your Instructors

Jenna LeJeune, PhD
Jenna LeJeune, Ph.D. is President and co-founder of Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research and Training Center in Portland, Oregon. As a clinical psychologist, Jenna specializes in using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to work with adults struggling with various relationship difficulties, including problems with intimacy, sexuality, trauma-related relationship challenges, and also struggles a person may have in their relationship with their own body. Much of her work focuses on issues related to meaning, values, self-compassion, and shame. She is the co-author of the book Values in Therapy: A Clinician's Guide to Helping Clients Explore Values, Increase Psychological Flexibility, and Live a More Meaningful Life. Jenna is also a peer-reviewed ACT trainer and provides ACT trainings for professionals around the world.
AUDIENCE
This workshop is intended for mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, etc.) and students enrolled in a graduate-level health or mental health program at all levels of expertise and working with any population in any treatment setting. While individuals with prior knowledge of ACT and contextual behavioral science will also likely benefit from this workshop, no prior exposure to ACT is required for participation in this workshop.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify in-session markers for when you might target values work
- Compare values identification and values exploration
- Describe the difference between values and goals and articulate how values exploration can facilitate more effective goal setting in therapy
REGISTRATION
Registration is online. Presentations will be recorded and sent to anyone who registers for the event.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We reserve a number of partial scholarships for potential attendees who could not otherwise afford to come. We give particular priority given to those who would add diverse and under represented voices to our field. To submit an application, please click here.
CE CREDITS
Portland Psychology Clinic, Research & Training Center is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Portland Psychotherapy, Clinic, Research & Training Center maintains responsibility for all programs and content.
This workshop grants 2 CE credits for therapists with the purchase of Professionals with CE Certificate ticket and live attendance of the entire workshop. Credit will not be given for only watching the recording.
REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS: We charge a $15 administration fee for cancellations made by participants more than two weeks before the training event. For cancellations within two weeks of the training event, we will refund 50% of the tuition. Alternately, participants may elect to apply 100% of their tuition to a future training event. No refunds will be given after training events.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: Please contact us if you need accommodations to enable you to fully participate in the workshop. We will work with you and do our best to find a way to ensure your participation.