Values-Based Living: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to Navigate Life’s Crossroads
- Dr Lauren
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
Facing Life’s Crossroads with Purpose
Life is full of crossroads—starting a new career, ending or deepening a relationship, making a big move, or adjusting to unexpected change. These moments often bring uncertainty, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm.
As a clinical psychologist specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I help adults across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont use their core values to guide decisions—so they can move forward with clarity, even when the future feels uncertain.
What Is Values-Based Living?
In ACT, values-based living means identifying what matters most to you and letting those values—not fear or external pressure—guide your actions.
Values vs. Goals:
Goal: Finish a graduate degree.
Value: Lifelong learning and personal growth.
Values give you a compass, not a checklist. They keep you moving toward what matters, no matter what obstacles you face.
How ACT Supports Decision-Making During Life Transitions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps you:
Clarify Your Values – Identify what’s most important in areas like relationships, career, health, and personal growth.
Accept Discomfort – Acknowledge feelings like fear or grief without letting them stop you from taking action.
Defuse From Overthinking – Step back from unhelpful thoughts so they lose their hold on your decisions.
Stay Present – Make decisions based on the current moment, not just future fears.
Commit to Action – Take small, meaningful steps toward your values, even when uncertainty is present.
Build Psychological Flexibility – Adjust to change while staying aligned with what matters most.
Why Values-Based Living Works
Life transitions can bring anxiety, grief, or identity shifts. ACT teaches you how to carry those emotions without being controlled by them—so you can make intentional, values-driven choices.
Rather than waiting for perfect certainty, you can act in alignment with your values now—building resilience and a stronger sense of self over time.
Simple Ways to Start Living by Your Values Today
Pick one core value (e.g., connection, creativity, compassion) and find one small way to live it out this week.
Notice when fear shows up and ask, “What would I choose if fear wasn’t in the driver’s seat?”
Pause before decisions—check in with your values before saying yes or no.
When to Seek Therapy for Life Transitions
If you’re at a major crossroads—navigating a loss, career change, or personal decision—therapy can help you clarify your values and take confident action. I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with other evidence-based approaches to help clients live fully and meaningfully.
I work with adults via telehealth in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, offering support for:
Life transitions and decision-making
Anxiety and stress management
Grief and loss, including Prolonged Grief Disorder
Trauma recovery
Bottom Line: You can’t always control where life takes you, but you can choose how you respond. Values-based living ensures your choices reflect what matters most—so you create a life that feels purposeful and authentic. Reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation
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