Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Making Optimal Use of Homework to Enhance Your Therapeutic Effectiveness

  • Published:
Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Homework is a well-established yet extremely under-emphasized aspect of the Rational-Emotive/cognitive behavioral orientation. This article recognizes homework as being a very powerful tool that needs to be incorporated into treatment in order to make it more efficient and effective. The author presents numerous techniques that can be used with virtually any therapeutic approach to maximize the impact of therapy between sessions. They include audio and bibliotherapy, goal setting, SUD Scale, mood management, disputation, affirmations, mood diary, list making, guided imagery, visualization, relaxation and meditation techniques, exposure, and thought stopping techniques. The article concludes with a discussion of why clients display resistance to homework along with some approaches that can be taken to address this resistance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broder, M. (1995). The Therapist's Assistant, Volume I. Philadelphia, PA: Media Psychology Associates (available through www.therapistsassistant.com).

    Google Scholar 

  • Broder, M. (1996). The Therapist's Assistant, Volume II (Relationship Series). Philadelphia, PA: Media Psychology Associates (available through www. therapistsassistant.com).

    Google Scholar 

  • Broder, M. (1993). Self-Actualization: Techniques for Achieving Your Full Potential (on cassette). Chicago, IL: Nightingale/Conant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broder, M. (1992). Positive Attitude Training: The Power of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology (on cassette). Chicago, IL: Nightingale/Conant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy. Secaucus, NJ: Citadel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1993). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self Help Therapy Materials. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 24, No. 3, 335–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1996). Better, Deeper, and More Enduring Brief Therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, K.C. (1997). Writer's Market. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, a Division of F&W Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, J. (1991). The Practice of Behavior Therapy (4th edition). New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Michael S. Broder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Broder, M.S. Making Optimal Use of Homework to Enhance Your Therapeutic Effectiveness. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy 18, 3–18 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007778719729

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007778719729

Keywords

Search

Navigation