Guidelines for enhancing homework compliance

The ability to enhance compliance with therapeutic tasks such as homework may be a crucial therapeutic skill that determines the success of psychotherapy in real-world clinical settings. This article presents guidelines for enhancing homework compliance through careful attention to: features of homework assignments, such as whether they are meaningful and doable and include a clear rationale and backup plan; and the therapist's manner when developing and reviewing homework assignments, such as whether that therapist is curious, collaborative, and reinforces all behavior that supports the homework's purposes. Clinical examples are used to illustrate the application of the guidelines.