Homework in Therapy? Yes—And Here’s Why It Matters

If you read the title, you probably had a gut reaction: Homework? In therapy?
You’re not the only one.

I’ve received criticisms from fellow therapists who oppose giving homework assignments, often for surprising reasons. One of the most unfounded arguments I’ve heard is:

“The client already has a lot on their plate. Giving them work between sessions will overwhelm them.”

In my experience, that’s rarely the issue. I’ve yet to meet a client who is 100% opposed to homework. More commonly, clients express concern about time and focus, not overwhelm. They don’t want to commit to something unless they can actually engage with it; fair and reasonable.

Why Homework Assignments Matter

Homework assignments serve a clear purpose in therapy. They:

• Encourage accountability for personal growth

• Show the client’s level of engagement and readiness

• Reveal patterns and obstacles that often emerge outside the therapy room

• Keep momentum going between sessions

• Deepen psychoeducation and help clients apply concepts to real life

Homework is not about busywork—it’s about building mental muscle through practice and reflection.

When Clients Don’t Do the Homework

Some therapists avoid addressing missed homework, instead choosing to normalize the behavior under the guise of avoiding shame. I've heard statements like:

“It’s okay—you kind of did it in your head,”
which may sound compassionate, but can unintentionally reinforce avoidance.

At Restartt, when homework isn’t completed, that’s where the session begins.
We explore what got in the way. Sometimes it’s time management, and we support that skill. But more often, the obstacle is emotional:

• Low Frustration Tolerance

• Ego-Anxiety

• Anger or Resentment

Avoidance itself becomes a meaningful clinical data point. Exploring why the client didn’t complete the homework often leads to greater self-awareness and meaningful change. To learn more about procrastination feel free to read my blog article: Overcoming Procrastination.

How Restartt Uses Homework Assignments

Homework is not one-size-fits-all. At Restartt, assignments are personalized and strategically selected based on the client’s needs, the phase of therapy, and the presenting problem. Here’s how we break it down:

Individualized REBT-Based Workbooks & Worksheets

• Workbooks:
  After the intake and goal-setting process, clients in short-term therapy (like EAP) may receive a tailored workbook to stay focused and structured. These are especially helpful when time is limited but change is still the goal.

• Worksheets:
  Worksheets are given at various points in treatment, especially after psychoeducational topics. Examples include:

  • Identifying Irrational Beliefs

  • Distinguishing Rational vs. Irrational Beliefs
    These tools help clients actively engage with REBT outside of sessions and as we know, practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes progress.

Chapters from REBT-Related Books

Bibliotherapy is a powerful complement to REBT. We assign book chapters when clients are ready to expand their insight and reinforce the concepts introduced in session.

Books we often recommend include:

• How to Control Your Anxiety Before It Controls You – Dr. Albert Ellis

• How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything—Yes, Anything – Dr. Albert Ellis

• How to Control Your Anger Before It Controls You – Dr. Albert Ellis

These assignments are especially helpful when session frequency changes from weekly to biweekly or monthly. Clients often tell us that prior sessions made the reading “click” even more.

REBT-Related Videos

Short videos are sometimes assigned to help clients visually reinforce core REBT concepts. These can serve as reminders between sessions and offer digestible education in under 10 minutes.

Journaling & Writing Reflections

Writing reflections are encouraged when clients are navigating emotionally charged situations. Prompts might focus on:

• Disputing irrational beliefs

• Practicing self-acceptance

• Processing activating events through the ABC model

  These reflections help bridge emotional processing between sessions and promote deeper insight.

Final Thought:

Homework doesn’t mean burden, it means ownership.
At Restartt, we believe therapy doesn’t end when the session does. The real work happens in the moments you’re challenged or tempted to disturb yourself and that’s when the homework tools we offer become your greatest resource.