Values and meaningful action / VAL-A10-1
Willingness in Small Doses — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind willingness in small doses and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Avery is nervous about asking a routine question.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. Values-based action can include manageable discomfort without requiring exposure to danger.
The idea
Values-based action can include manageable discomfort without requiring exposure to danger.
An ordinary example
Avery is nervous about asking a routine question.
What this can look like
Identify a low-stakes action, likely feelings, and the support or limit needed to attempt it.
Check the fit
What discomfort is optional to make room for, and what signals a need to stop? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
A value can guide ongoing action even when a goal is delayed or a barrier requires external support.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- What discomfort is optional to make room for, and what signals a need to stop?
Conceptual background
Valuing as a Choice — Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.