A Closer Look at Values

To paraphrase one of the key tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), values are the points on our internal compasses that help us navigate the world. Not knowing what we value leaves us lost and dependent on other people and/or technologies to give our lives a sense of direction. At Closer Look Counseling (CLC), we strongly believe in charting your own course. We’re here to help clients decide what they value, not what to value.

Below are the ten core values that keep our practice on track and guide our interactions with our clients. Maybe they’ll resonate with you? Maybe they won’t? At the very least, you’ll have an idea of what to expect when you join us for a session. 

Note: the values are arranged in alphabetical order because, like (most) parents to children, we refuse to play favorites.

Collaboration: to work cooperatively with others.

Collaboration takes place when two (or more) parties join forces to accomplish a common goal. As our home page states, our goal is to help clients achieve “Better living through deeper understanding.” Clients enter the counseling relationship with a trove of personal information that no one else possesses, and we’re honored to help them process that knowledge into meaningful and actionable insights that lead to a more fulfilling life.

Compassion: to feel and act on concern for others.

Imagine you see someone stuck at the bottom of a pit. Sympathizing with that person would be sharing your condolences and going about your business. Empathizing is climbing down into the pit with them so they don’t feel alone. Compassion is securely belaying down with an extra harness to help them find their way out of the abyss. We take the compassionate approach to ensure that clients not only feel seen, but also see a path back to the surface.

Creativity: to have new and original ideas.

Creativity may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of counseling, but we think it’s crucial to the therapeutic process. From unique group offerings to noteworthy interventions during sessions, we utilize creativity to break down the barriers between our clients and where they want to be in life. If nothing else, it makes the mental health journey more interesting for all parties involved.  

Curiosity: to have a strong desire to learn and understand.

In a field with so few (if any) objective truths, what could be more valuable than curiosity? To be curious is to seek new information without judgment or expectations. It’s to have an equal appreciation for asking questions and receiving answers. At CLC, our curiosity for the human experience knows no limits, and we do our best work with clients who share our enthusiasm for taking a closer look at this wild and mysterious thing we call life. 

Genuineness: to act in a manner that is true to who I am.

Research shows that “the therapeutic relationship contributes a hefty 30% to outcome in psychotherapy, making it a far more critical factor than either therapeutic technique or expectancy.” That’s why the main intervention CLC therapists utilize is genuineness. Clients have to know us to trust and connect with us, which is why we strive to show up as our true selves during sessions. 

Helpfulness: to be helpful to others.

While we may not be medical doctors, we hold ourselves accountable to the Hippocratic Oath (at least the “Do no harm” part). That’s why we regularly check in with our clients to ensure they’re receiving the help they need. Clients are the ultimate judge of our helpfulness, which is why we are happy to help them find a new therapist inside or outside of CLC if they feel the therapeutic process isn’t heading in a productive direction. 

Hope: to maintain a positive and optimistic outlook.

A client without hope is like a car with a dead battery, which is why we meet our clients where they are (figuratively) to provide the jolt they need to continue their journey. While we are positive that most people can find the missing spark in their life, we are also realistic about the negative forces that make it harder for some people to remain energized than others. Victor Frankl calls this kind of hope Tragic Optimism, and we’re here for it.

Knowledge: to learn and contribute valuable knowledge.

As counseling professionals, we are committed to staying knowledgeable of the latest findings, trainings, and techniques in our field. As people, we are committed to staying mindful of the ways our lived experiences may show up during sessions. As for our clients, we ask that they keep us in the know about any shifts in their lives, goals, and priorities that may impact the work we’re doing together.        

Openness: to be open to new experiences, ideas, and options.

Openness is a prerequisite for most of the values on this list. Staying open to new ideas is how we expand our knowledge. Saying “yes” to new options keeps us creative. Honoring new experiences drives our compassion. In fact, the only thing we try to close ourselves off from is close-mindedness. If you’re curious where you fall on the openness scale, complete this Big 5 Personality questionnaire and contact us to discuss your results.

Responsibility: to make and carry out responsible decisions.

The alphabetically last—but certainly not least—of our core values is responsibility. The only entity we feel more responsible to than the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is our clients. We are well aware of the mental, emotional, temporal, and financial investment counseling requires, and while we aren’t responsible for every facet of our clients’ lives, we do feel responsible for ensuring their time, money, and mental energy are being well-spent.

Did this post make you curious about your personal values? We’re happy to collaborate via a Values Auction or an individual session. Contact us to start calibrating your internal values compass and feel more confident about where your life is heading.