Overcoming Homework Hurdles in Therapy

In therapy, homework assignments play a vital role. Especially in approaches like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), these exercises allow clients to practice new skills, challenge distorted thoughts, and monitor specific behaviours between sessions. But here’s the challenge: completing homework isn’t always easy, and noncompliance is common. From busy schedules to emotional resistance, there are countless reasons clients struggle to follow through on assigned tasks. 

As a counsellor and hypnotherapist, I understand this struggle all too well. Early in my career, I noticed a trend: each week, I would assign a task or exercise only to find many clients returning with reasons why they hadn’t completed it. I’d often hear “I didn’t have time” or “I didn’t know where to start.” Over time, I realised that my clients weren’t necessarily unwilling—they were overwhelmed, unsure, or simply felt stuck. 

This sparked a journey for me, one that would lead to creating tools to make therapeutic homework more approachable, manageable, and even enjoyable.

Understanding the barriers 

Through conversations with my clients, I started to uncover the common barriers. Often, clients’ lives were already full, and fitting in additional tasks felt impossible. For others, motivation was a barrier; they felt unsure of how therapy would help and deprioritised the homework as a result. Some clients, particularly those dealing with trauma or anxiety, had deep emotional resistance to facing difficult feelings. And frequently, I found that clients were simply unsure of how to start—uncertain about what to write or where to begin.

It was this last realisation that sparked an idea. Many clients were willing to do the work, but they needed a tool that would guide them through it step-by-step. I began to consider how I could help my clients take the first step, making homework feel less intimidating and more accessible. 

The birth of the gratitude journal 

Inspired by this need, I created a simple gratitude journal as a starting point. The journal featured easy, daily prompts, designed to be completed in just a few minutes each day. The idea was to encourage clients to start small, building a habit without feeling overwhelmed. I began offering the journal as homework, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. 

Clients returned week after week, sharing the benefits of the gratitude practice and noticing shifts in their mindset. They felt more at ease, more motivated, and better able to engage with the therapeutic process. This small, consistent practice became a foundation for more meaningful work in therapy. 

Expanding for younger clients 

One day, a client mentioned that her children were interested in joining her gratitude practice, and she asked if I could create a similar journal for kids. This idea thrilled me, as I realised that gratitude could be an empowering practice for young people as well. So, I developed two new journals tailored to children ages six and up. I started offering these journals to younger clients, allowing families to go on a gratitude journey together. 

Creating these journals for children brought unexpected rewards. Parents shared stories of their kids developing positive attitudes, communicating more openly, and even discussing gratitude as a family. This was the start of a larger journey in creating accessible therapeutic tools for all ages. 

Building a workbook for therapy clients 

After a few months, I noticed that some clients needed a more intensive approach. While the gratitude journals were helpful, certain therapeutic tasks required deeper engagement. I spoke with a therapist friend about our shared frustration with clients’ homework noncompliance, especially when it came to more complex tasks. We realised that having a workbook with structured exercises could help guide clients through these tasks without feeling lost or unsupported. 

Motivated by this idea, I created a therapy workbook designed for clients who wanted to dive deeper. The workbook included various activities for self-reflection, behaviour tracking, and skill-building—common homework tasks that we often assigned in therapy. I encouraged clients to use the workbook in conjunction with our sessions or even as a self-guided project between sessions. 

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Clients found the workbook supportive, and the structured format gave them the confidence to engage more fully in their healing process. Other therapists began recommending it to their clients, which further reinforced its value. 

Creating a couples workbook 

As I continued to work with clients, I noticed that couples in therapy faced unique challenges. Many couples were eager to practice relationship-building exercises, but the tasks often felt awkward or difficult to remember outside of sessions. Recognising this gap, I created a couples-specific workbook filled with practical exercises designed to deepen communication, foster understanding, and strengthen their bond. 

This workbook became a powerful tool for couples, helping them make the most of their time in therapy and bring positive changes into their relationship. The tailored exercises allowed couples to approach therapy with greater focus, ultimately creating lasting improvements in their interactions. 

A path to more engaged therapy 

Today, I offer these resources as tools to make therapy more engaging and effective. I’ve found that by removing the barriers and excuses to homework noncompliance, each counselling session becomes more productive. Clients feel more empowered, motivated, and able to see the progress they’re making in their journey. 

If you’ve struggled with therapy homework or simply want to get a head start on your healing journey, my range of books offers accessible ways to start. Each one is designed to support you through your unique path, helping you engage with therapeutic exercises in a way that fits seamlessly into your life. Visit my Therapy resources page to explore the full range of journals and workbooks and find the right fit for your needs.