Homework, known by students worldwide, is being used in Australia as part of the toolbox for recovery. A letter to the editor in the October issue of Psychiatric Services describes how this works, in partnership between consumers and case managers, for relief of symptoms, reduced stress, assessing cognitive function, and setting goals.
The aim of such homework is to facilitate progress toward treatment goals. There is an increasing body of research indicating that homework completion is associated with improved outcomes of psychotherapy across a wide range of clinical disorders (such as depression and anxiety).
Aware of the negative reaction to the very idea of student homework, they also suggest calling it "home exercises" or "home practice."
