Homework: The Purpose

 

Working with a therapist or facilitator on a weekly basis is often an important step in growth and healing. The rate of improvement is a function of many things—therapist experience/ability, therapist/client fit, client commitment, depth of problems, as well as strengths of supports. One of the most overlooked factors is homework.

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Homework that is suggested by the therapist and selected by the client keeps responsibility and power where it belongs—in the person who wants to solve the problem. Then the therapist/facilitator is firmly in the supportive role of assistant and guide.

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If you have a bad infection it is often recommended that you take medication every day—not once every week or two. To learn guitar, daily practice—not just weekly lessons—is necessary. The same is true for therapy and self-improvement.

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So if you see your therapist for an hour once a week for a year, that's 52 hours of therapeutic focus. If you add only 30 minutes of homework each day between weekly sessions, that's 3 extra hours every week and 156 extra hours for the year— 3 extra years of therapeutic value for free—with only 30 minutes a day!

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Personal homework can be anything that is helpful to you. The areas I've written about are Journaling, Supports, Self Study, Physical health, Meditation, Expression, and Enjoyment. If you're interested, check out what might be helpful to you.