With special thanks to Drs. Walser and Westrup. This exercise is minimally adapted from the following source: Walser, Robyn; Westrup, Darrah. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems: A Practitioner’s Guide to Using Mindfulness and Acceptance Strategies . New Harbinger Publications. Kindle Edition.

In this exercise, caregivers are invited to reflect on different identities they hold, they are invited to hold these identities lightly, then they are asked to “pick from a menu” which values-aligned caregiving behaviors they would like to engage in. This exercise was originally developed by Walser and Westrup as a self as context exercise. With slight adaptation, this exercise can target values clarification and flexible committed action as well.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What did you notice? What emotions came up as you observed different ideas of you?

• What parts of you were you attracted to? What parts did you notice an aversion to?

• If picking your behavior was as simple as picking from a menu, what behaviors or aspects would you like to continue?

During post-exercise discussion, you can help caregivers reflect on and clarify their parenting values, describe aspirational behavior, articulate rigidly held caregiving identities, and consider parenting behavior as a series of small choices flexibly enacted.