Values, Attention, and Psychological Flexibility
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
Values, Attention, and Psychological Flexibility
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
Values, Attention, and Psychological Flexibility
Across many years of clinical psychology practice, alongside earlier work in trade environments, one consistent observation stands out. People rarely struggle because they lack effort or insight. More often, difficulties arise because attention becomes captured by threat, discomfort, or habit, pulling behaviour away from what genuinely matters.
Psychological flexibility describes the capacity to notice where attention is going, to relate differently to difficult internal experiences, and to continue acting in ways that align with personally held values. This is not about eliminating distress or maintaining constant calm. It is about responding wisely and humanely in the presence of discomfort.
Difficulties with attention, emotional regulation, and values-based action often sit underneath a wide range of psychological presentations. This pattern reflects core aims of psychological therapy, including supporting people to respond with greater awareness and choice in everyday life.
Values in Psychological Theory
In evidence-based psychology, values are defined as freely chosen, personally meaningful life directions rather than goals or external standards [1]. They describe qualities of action that can be expressed repeatedly over time. For many people, clarifying values becomes particularly important during periods of uncertainty or stress, as explored further in Let Your Values Be Your Guide.
Values differ from goals in important ways. Goals are finite and achievable, whereas values are ongoing and enacted moment by moment. Research within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy shows that values-based action is associated with improved wellbeing and resilience, even when psychological symptoms persist [1][2].
Attention as a Core Psychological Process
Attention plays a central role in emotional regulation, learning, and behaviour. From a clinical perspective, where attention goes, behaviour tends to follow.
Under stress, trauma exposure, chronic pain, or prolonged emotional strain, attentional systems narrow in ways that prioritise threat monitoring, avoidance of discomfort, and short-term relief. This narrowing is adaptive in the short term, but becomes costly when it limits behavioural flexibility [3][4].
Psychological Flexibility Defined
Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to remain in contact with the present moment, observe thoughts and feelings without excessive entanglement, and persist or change behaviour in service of chosen values [1]. Importantly, this same flexibility also supports people in managing competing demands and workload pressures in modern life. This is discussed further in Me Time Improves Work Time, where intentional recovery and values-consistent boundaries are framed as psychologically protective rather than indulgent.
Meta-analytic research indicates that psychological flexibility is a transdiagnostic process, relevant across many forms of psychological distress rather than tied to a single diagnosis [5].
How Values and Attention Interact
Values provide direction. Attention provides movement.
Without values, attention is easily captured by threat, comparison, or avoidance. Without attention, values remain abstract ideals rather than lived experiences. Experimental and clinical research shows that values clarification enhances motivation and persistence, particularly when individuals are supported to notice and gently redirect attention during moments of difficulty [2][6].
A Clinically Grounded Example
Consider a person who values being emotionally present with their family. After a demanding day, attention may be dominated by fatigue, irritation, or urges to withdraw. Inflexible responding often involves automatic avoidance or reactivity.
Flexible responding involves noticing internal signals of fatigue, acknowledging them without judgment, and choosing a small, realistic action aligned with values. Research suggests that such values-consistent micro-actions are more predictive of wellbeing than symptom reduction alone [2][7].
Relevance to Mental Health and Wellbeing
When people feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this is often linked to attentional capture by threat or avoidance, reduced behavioural variability, and diminished contact with values.
Psychological interventions that explicitly target attention, values, and flexibility show effectiveness across anxiety, depression, trauma-related difficulties, chronic pain, and occupational stress [1][5][8].
Developing Psychological Flexibility Over Time
Psychological flexibility develops through repeated practice rather than insight alone. Helpful processes include structured values clarification, attentional awareness training, learning to observe thoughts and emotions without struggle, and gradual engagement in values-consistent behaviour.
Even small, sustained shifts in flexibility are associated with meaningful improvements in functioning and quality of life [6][9].
A Balanced Closing Perspective
Values, attention, and psychological flexibility are practical skills that shape how people navigate stress, relationships, work, health challenges, and loss. The aim is not to remove discomfort from life, but to reduce the degree to which discomfort dictates behaviour.
Psychological flexibility allows people to live with greater intention, dignity, and compassion, even when circumstances are difficult.
Enquiries and Appointments
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Therapy is available in person at Varsity Lakes or via telehealth anywhere in Australia.
The easiest way to book an appointment is online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Psychological Flexibility in Simple Terms?
Psychological flexibility is the ability to stay present, open to internal experiences such as thoughts and emotions, and to act in line with personal values rather than avoidance or short-term relief [1][5].
How Are Values Different From Goals?
Values are ongoing life directions, whereas goals are specific outcomes that can be completed. Values remain relevant even when goals cannot be achieved [1][2].
Why Does Attention Matter So Much for Mental Health?
Attention determines what information the brain prioritises. Under stress, attention often narrows toward threat or discomfort. Flexible attention supports emotional regulation and adaptive behaviour [3][4].
Can Psychological Flexibility Help Even if Symptoms Persist?
Yes. Increased psychological flexibility is associated with improved functioning and quality of life even when symptoms remain present [5][7].
Is Psychological Flexibility Relevant for Adolescents and Adults?
Psychological flexibility is a transdiagnostic process relevant across adolescence and adulthood and across a wide range of mental health presentations [5][6].
References
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Wilson, K. G., & Murrell, A. R. (2004). Values work in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In S. C. Hayes et al. (Eds.), Mindfulness and Acceptance. Guilford Press.
- Bishop, S. J. (2009). Trait anxiety and impoverished prefrontal control of attention. Nature Neuroscience, 12(1), 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.2242
- Posner, M. I., & Rothbart, M. K. (2007). Research on attention networks. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.58.110405.085516
- Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865–878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001
- Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.06.006
- Trompetter, H. R., et al. (2015). Psychological flexibility and catastrophizing in chronic pain. European Journal of Pain, 19(6), 846–857. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.602
- Bond, F. W., et al. (2011). Psychological flexibility and work-related wellbeing. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 16(4), 397–408. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024376
- A-Tjak, J. G. L., Davis, M. L., Morina, N., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A. J., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2015). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for clinically relevant mental and physical health problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(1), 30–36. https://doi.org/10.1159/000365764
