Many families come in feeling divided on priorities and values. Many scholars in the field of counseling research argue that understanding a family’s values is key to helping families work through conflicts (Thoburn & Sexton, 2016 & Trotzer, 1981).
Kids, and even parents, can have a hard time identifying shared values within their family. A good way to help families get on the same page and begin to work toward a common goal is to explore family values.
Intentional Family offers a thorough worksheet to walk through family values with your clients. The worksheet also includes several examples of family values to help clients recognize and identify their values. Understanding where our values come from and what purpose they serve is important to helping family members invest in these values.
Another resource from Therapist Aid offers another way to explore values. Using this worksheet can help family members expand their understanding of their own values and how their children view their values. This can provide insight for parents on whether their children are able to identify the values that parents are trying to live out.
Resources
Thoburn, J. W., & Sexton, T. L. (2016). Family psychology : theory, research, and practice. (pp. 111-171). Praeger.
Trotzer, J. P. (1981). The centrality of values in families and family therapy. International Journal of Family Therapy, 3(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00936269
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