Values clarification is an integrative approach to counseling that includes significant humanistic-existential, cognitive, and behavioral components. It is designed to help clients set goals, establish priorities, make decisions, and take action in their lives to achieve their values. It is not a therapeutic approach, per se, designed to assist clients with mental health issues, but a counseling and developmental approach aimed at helping individuals achieve greater life satisfaction. Nevertheless, the methods and process of values clarification can be used by mental health practitioners to enhance their practice, especially when helping clients set goals, make decisions, and develop plans as part of their recovery.

Values clarification can be used in a wide variety of counseling and educational settings, including school, career, couple and family, pastoral, rehabilitation, gerontological, ...