Values clarification — identifying what matters most to you at the deepest level — is a cornerstone of ACT therapy for body-focused repetitive behaviors and provides direction when body-focused repetitive behaviors removes other navigational tools.
Why Values Matter for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors often disconnects us from our values through avoidance, withdrawal, and reduced capacity. Reconnecting with values provides:
- Direction when body-focused repetitive behaviors has eliminated other motivation
- Meaning that persists even through difficult body-focused repetitive behaviors periods
- A basis for action independent of how body-focused repetitive behaviors makes you feel
Clarifying Your Values with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Ask yourself: 'If my body-focused repetitive behaviors were less present, what would I be doing more of? What kind of person would I be?'
Values are not goals (achievable and done) but ongoing directions: being a present parent, creating beauty, contributing to others.
Values-Based Action in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
ACT therapy teaches: act according to values even when body-focused repetitive behaviors is present. Small values-aligned actions, despite body-focused repetitive behaviors, are more sustainable than waiting for body-focused repetitive behaviors to lift first.