Exploring Values with Adolescents: Implications of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Adolescents need both developmental support and a set of compass and value-based competencies to effectively navigate and make sense of the present events and situations they meet, ultimately leading to a purposeful and fulfilling life. It is worth mentioning that there has been a significant increase in the development of psychological help, techniques, and theories in recent years to meet this demand. These theories also incorporate values. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strongly emphasizes identifying values as a central aspect of the therapeutic process. ACT places significant emphasis on studies focused on clarifying values and enhancing awareness, especially in individuals sensitive to developmental stages, such as adolescents. This study, provided information about the definition of ACT, effectivenes studies, and the definition and function of values in the ACT approach. This study provided information about the definition of ACT, effectiveness studies, and the definition and function of values in the ACT approach. This study aims to explain the importance of values in the ACT approach in working with adolescents and how ACT steps can clarify and increase awareness of values in adolescents by concretizing them with case examples. It also aims to explain the activities and tools that therapists can use when working with values in ACT and what they should pay attention to when working with values. The study discussed that adolescents can be helped to meet their developmental needs and make sense of the effects of positive/adverse events and experiences in their immediate and distant environments through values work. Finally, incorporating ACT with Turkish adolescent clients by including their values in counseling and associating it with primary, secondary, and tertiary studies can carry the studies to be carried out in environments where adolescents are present beyond being only crisis-oriented. Additionally, it has been recommended to conduct quantitative studies on the factors that influence adolescents' value clarification, using scales designed to highlight these values.