Clarification of values in counselling and psychotherapy

When an individual acts contrary to personal values, then there is dissonance, with consequences of guilt, anxiety, despair, or alienation. If unresolved and of sufficient strength these feelings may manifest in mental illness. Thus, clarification of values and resolution of value conflict are relevant to counselling and psychotherapy. A framework for the systematic examination of values in therapy is described. Values are classified as personal, social, environmental and sensate. In therapy, goals may be matched for congruence between personal values and overt behaviour. Processes which erode values and ways to maintain integrity of personal value systems are considered.