What a values card sort is

A values card sort is an exercise for finding out what matters to you. You are shown a set of cards, each naming a value such as Growth, Courage or Belonging, and you sort them by how much each one matters to you right now.

ACT describes six linked processes (acceptance, defusion, self, now, values, and action) that serve one aim, psychological flexibility.

It is used in counselling and therapy, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and motivational interviewing. It is easy to say that everything matters. A sort makes you choose, and the result is a short, ordered list you can act on.

Pathery’s version is free and interactive. You pick one part of life, sort 15 values over four rounds, and finish with a values pyramid: your top value at the point and the rest in tiers beneath it.

Value titles are adapted from the Personal Values Card Sort by Miller, C’de Baca, Matthews and Wilbourne (2011), University of New Mexico, which is in the public domain. All descriptions are original Pathery copy.

References:

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
Miller, W. R., C'de Baca, J., Matthews, D. B., & Wilbourne, P. L. (2011). Personal values card sort. University of New Mexico. https://res.cloudinary.com/psychwire/image/upload/v1690948630/pw-client-uploads/iedyivyfe7dbzs8b8e3q.pdf

Five steps, about 15 minutes

Pick one part of life
Work, Play, Love or Health. Your values can differ from one area to another, so you sort one at a time.
Swipe through 15 cards
Swipe right for more valued and left for less valued. Each card is written for the area you chose.
Narrow it down over four rounds
Each round limits how many cards you can set aside as less valued: five, then four, three and two. The cards you keep are shuffled and dealt again, so you have to decide.
See your values pyramid
One value sits at the top, with five at the base. Tap any value to read what it means in that area.
Sort another area
Once two areas are done, you can compare them side by side and see which values appear in more than one part of your life.

The 15 values, written for each area

Every value has four descriptions, one for each area. “Growth” at work is not quite “Growth” in love. Choose an area to read all 15.

AcceptanceAccepting my limits without harsh self-judgement
AdventureTaking on challenges I haven't tried before
AuthenticityDoing work that feels true to who I am
AutonomyHaving a say in how I do my work
BelongingFeeling part of a team or community at work
CaringSupporting and looking out for the people I work with
CourageSpeaking up and taking risks that matter
CreativityBringing new ideas into what I do
CuriosityLearning new skills and asking good questions
FunEnjoying myself and keeping work light where I can
GratitudeAppreciating what my work gives me
GrowthStretching myself and building new skills
MasteryGetting really good at what I do
MindfulnessBeing fully present in what I'm doing, one thing at a time
PurposeDoing work that means something to me

A free evening, feeling restless

The same evening, seen through the six skills of ACT. Flip the switch to see it change.

Last week went the same way. So will the next.

This is where I am — a free evening.

How would I even want to fill up the time?

What really matters to me?

Nothing gets chosen, so the evening chooses itself.

One small thing, chosen because it matters.

I’m just a lazy person.

I’m not the story — I’m the one noticing that story.

I can’t figure it out — and that’s it.

I can’t figure it out — a thought, passing through.

Doom-scrolling seems at least better than restlessness.

Restless, and doing it anyway. Both can be true.

Tap a word.

The evening passes, and none of it was yours.You cannot choose the feeling, but can still choose the evening.

Send it as homework

One homework link

Turn the values card sort into a QR code your client can open straight away. No account or app needed.

They sort in their own time

Your client scans the code on their own phone and sorts one area of life between sessions, at their own pace.

Read what comes back

Your client sends you a link when they finish. Sign in to open their values pyramid before the next session. If they sorted two areas, you can compare them.

Fits the values work you already do

A natural step for the values work in ACT, and for motivational interviewing, where naming what matters guides how a person chooses to act.

See the therapists page

Common questions

Is the values card sort free?

Yes. It is free to use online. There is no account.

Is it private?

Yes. Pathery runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent to Pathery. Your entries stay in this browser and are cleared after seven days without a visit.

How long does it take?

About 15 minutes for one area of life.

Why one area at a time?

What matters at work is often different from what matters in love or health. Sorting one area at a time keeps the choices clear. Once you have done two, you can compare them.

Do I need to know ACT?

No. The ACT tab explains the idea in a short example, but the sort works without any background.

Can I use it with clients?

Yes. Therapists can send this exercise to a client as a single link. See the Therapists tab.

Is this therapy?

No. Pathery is a self-help tool, not therapy. If you need urgent help now, call your local emergency number.

Values Card Sort

Everything feels important,
nothing feels clear.

How it works