CBT Homework is applied in stages. Encouraging and facilitating homework is a key feature of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Initially, homework assignments were mainly in the form of additional studies aimed at obtaining or giving information. In the following sessions, the homework contents begin to form the techniques created to support cognitive change with life. This article contains CBT, also Stages of Homework.
A recent study stated that informing patients about their homework during the session, encouraging them to complete their homework and identifying the factors that cause this situation if patients do not do their first homework will increase the commitment to future homework.
What are The Stages of Homework?
The first stage is the “understanding stage.” This is where you are figuring out what needs to be done in order for your assignment to be complete. What does the assignment look like? What are the requirements for this assignment? Who wrote it? Whoever wrote it, who were they really talking about?
What Is Homework Recording?
Homework Recording is for homework assignments given to clients. A client needs complete knowledge of their problems, which require solving. It takes time for the client to acquire that understanding, and they are asked to record facts or thoughts they discover about themselves that are relevant to their problem area(s). This is done in order for the client not to forget what he/she has discovered, and also as a way of promoting commitment towards homework assignments.
Monitor Yourself- Consists of monitoring one’s own thought patterns or environment/context along with identifying any said triggers related thereto. One can monitor oneself by logging into their mood charts or taking some other assessment on the app regarding stress levels etcetera at different points in time
Therefore, before giving to the patients, therapist should explain the the importance and content of homework.
Stage -1
The therapist assigns the process. However, it should be decided together and the assignments should be appropriate to the client’s problems.
Stage -2
Presenting the assignments to the clients by the therapist. Assignments should be clear, and the therapist should give necessary explanations about the importance of the assignments to the clients.
Stage -2
Acceptance of assignments by the client The assignments should be acceptable according to their abilities and status.
Stage -4
Submitting the instructions of the assigned assignments to the client The patient’s instructions should be understood.
Stage -5
The therapist asks the client questions about the assignments. Accordingly, the therapist identifies the factors that prevent assignment.
Stage -6
Informing the client about the assignments he/she has done to the therapist.
Figure 1. Six-Stage Model of Homework
The type of homework given may vary from patient to patient. One of the important points in this process is to ensure that the patient continues his/her efforts to reach the therapeutic goals outside the sessions with his/her homework assignments. Therapists may suggest standard homework, such as reading therapy notes and planning activities during sessions or asking their patients for any homework they think may be useful after a problem is discussed during the session. Thus, therapists can assign assignments that the patient believes are easy and are more likely to do so.
What is important in this process is that therapists and patients agree on their homework’s frequency and duration.
Deciding homework assignments with patients may increase the completion rate of homework assignments. However, especially after the first sessions, patients may not have enough information about his / her homework assignments. Therefore, after the first sessions, the following homework assignments are the best for the patients.
- Create a list of objectives
- Reading a book about CBT to give information.
- Psychoeducation materials
- Self-monitoring
- Activity recording In the following sessions, the therapist can ask the patients the following questions to cooperate with the patient to decide on their homework:
- Would you like to apply this technique (which can be any technique) that we discussed together during the session when you are alone this week?
- If you read these notes before you leave home, do you think this can help you?
- What do you think you can do about the thoughts that bother you? (The therapist must have previously acquired skills in coping with the patient’s problem
Last Updated on March 12, 2022 by Lucas Berg
