Fulfillment of therapeutic tasks as a precondition for acceptance in therapy

Giving a patient therapeutic tasks to fulfill as a precondition for his acceptance in therapy facilitates the therapeutic process. Patients' commitment to therapy is increased, initial functioning level is raised and morale is boosted. The setting of precondition-tasks may work because of the influence of therapists' positive expectations for patients' behavior. As the patient fulfills the task his own self-efficacy expectations are enhanced. Practical aspects in the implementation of this technique are considered, and cases are described.