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3 effective homework exercises for counselling clients

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Homework isn’t just for students — completing homework between sessions allows counselling clients to increase retention of new skills, stay on track with their mental health journey, and reach their goals faster. Homework is no longer a ‘nice to have’ — it’s essential for client progress. Learn more about homework exercises for counselling clients.

The effects of homework on counselling outcomes

Studies have shown that homework compliance is linked to better treatment outcomes. The good news is that there’s a variety of assignments that clients and counsellors can choose from together. So if one method isn’t sticking, there are plenty of other exercises to experiment with. 

1. Journalling

Journalling is one of the most common homework exercises for counselling clients. Journaling has multiple positive effects on clients:  less anxiety, reduced stress, and a more positive and pleasant outlook on life. It’s also highly accessible and inexpensive. 

Clients often discount journalling because they don’t know what to write about — that’s where prompts come in. There are plenty of journal prompts to generate ideas and get the wheels turning. As clients gain more experience with journalling, many begin reaching for their journal on their own for a positive tool to organize their thoughts or process emotions. They may even surprise themselves with just how much or how often they write. 

2. Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are an effective way to reduce anxiety, stress, and calm the body. Clients can begin by incorporating breathing exercises into their daily routines. Encourage clients to schedule breathing for a few minutes once per day. The goal is to get them used to this exercise and to encourage them to get in the habit of using it in moments of stress and anxiety. 

There are multiple breathing exercises clients can choose from. They may find that some are more effective than others. Encourage clients to try a few to discover what works best for them. 

3. Mindfulness exercises

Another one of the most accessible homework exercises for counselling clients. Mindfulness-based interventions help clients become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to halt negative thought patterns as they arise — shifting from negative, circular thinking, to more positive and rational thoughts. Over time, this is shown to be effective in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. 

Meditation is the most common and accessible form of mindfulness. It’s able to provide relief from both internalized struggles, and external stressors like hectic environments.

What the research shows: 

  • A study found that people who maintained a long-term meditation practice lowered the negative impacts of aging on the brain. Additionally, those who had an average of 20 years of meditation practice under their belts had more grey matter in the brain. The results showed that meditation has a widespread positive effect on multiple regions of the brain.
  • A study from Johns Hopkins University found that meditation had the same effect as antidepressants on reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain. It’s an effective alternative for clients who either don’t want to take meditation or who haven’t responded well to medication in the past. 
  • Another study found that mindfulness was correlated with a reduction in symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). 93 participants showed a significant reduction in anxiety and an increase in positive self-statements.

Make homework as simple as possible

We know homework is effective at improving patient outcomes, but it’s also a new habit that clients will need support adopting. It’s all too easy for clients to forget about homework between sessions, so make it as simple as possible. Boost compliance and reduce barriers by making the homework experience as natural as possible for clients. A digital homework app like Therachat goes right on clients’ own devices — so they can access and complete their homework wherever they’re comfortable. 

For counsellors, this means you have the ability to: 

  • Create and customize digital activities that can be assigned to multiple clients. Save time and help a wider scope of your practice. 
  • Follow-up with clients through an easy-to-use instant messenger that’s safe, private, and more convenient than texting with your personal number. 
  • Track and look back on client progress.
  • Added security benefits like HIPAA compliance. 
  • No need to file and manage paper documents.

Ready to modernize your practice? Learn more about Therachat for clinicians.

How to easily send counselling homework to clients

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Homework is one of the most influential factors of counselling success. Assigning short exercises is a powerful strategy to help clients gain insight into their experiences. It also helps them work through processing their emotions outside of sessions. A small amount of homework can have a huge impact on your counselling practice. We’ve outlined how to send counselling homework to clients and keep them on track, even outside of office hours.

The importance of homework

Research has shown that counselling clients who complete homework assignments are more engaged and empowered in their therapy process, experiencing better treatment outcomes. In most cases, clients use homework to apply what they have learned in therapy, reflect on their progress, and practice new skills in the context of their day-to-day. However, counsellors can always tailor homework to fit each individual client and their unique counselling goals. 

The switch to digital

As the world moves further away from in-person services and towards an online-first practice, online homework is both a necessity and a convenience. A study found that when Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) homework was assigned digitally, clients working through substance abuse saw significantly positive outcomes. Digital homework apps offer a whole host of benefits that traditional pen and paper just can’t.

  • The convenience and accessibility to keeps counselling goals top of mind.
  • There’s no need to come into the office to pick up homework. If a client is ready to move on, they can simply choose activities from their personal device. There’s no need to wait for their next appointment. 
  • Clients can complete homework in a comfortable environment on their own time

The benefits of digital homework for counsellors 

It’s not just clients who love the convenience of a digital homework app — counsellors also use it to modernize their practice and elevate the client experience.

  • Create and customize digital activities that can be assigned to multiple clients. Save time and helping a wider scope of your practice. 
  • Follow-up with clients through an easy-to-use instant messenger that’s safe, private, and more convenient than texting with your personal number. 
  • Track and look back on client progress.
  • Added security benefits like HIPAA compliance. 
  • No need to file and manage paper documents. 

A digital homework app like Therachat is one of the simplest ways to save time and help clients reach their goals even faster. It also fosters better communication and therefore a stronger client-counsellor relationship — one of the clearest predictors of counselling success. Clients who feel comfortable and connected to their therapists are more likely to disclose important information. This is important for insights into their mental health progress. 

Counselling homework made simple

With the convenience of counselling technology right on our devices, there’s never been a better time for you to integrate digital tools into your practice. Homework is an integral part of therapy, helping clients integrate newly learned skills into everyday life. It’s an easy way to stay connected to clients, keeping them engaged and on track between sessions. It also opens a critical relationship-boosting channel for communication between you and your clients. 

Homework empowers counsellors with a deep understanding of a client’s progress throughout treatment, allowing you to adjust your approach if necessary. Like everything else, results come with consistent and steady progress. The sooner you start to send counselling homework to clients, the sooner you and your clients can enjoy the benefits that come with a regular homework routine. Therachat makes it easy to deliver homework to your clients, track their progress, and communicate securely and professionally. See the benefits of Therachat for clinicians.

4 homework exercises to assign clients between counselling sessions

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Assigning homework exercises for counselling clients is one of the best ways to keep them on track and consistently working towards goals. Studies have found that there is a positive correlation between homework compliance and therapy outcomes. Overall, greater homework compliance is associated with improved treatment outcomes. There are many forms of positive homework exercises to assign — every client is different and may enjoy certain exercises over others. Work through them together to find what.

Journalling or other forms of writing

Journaling is known to lead to increased positivity, reduced stress, less anxiety, and a generally pleasant outlook on life. With the help of a counsellor, clients can take advantage of these benefits and create a positive new daily habit. Start slow and small to slowly build up the habit. 

Assign readings

Knowledge is indeed power! Assigning readings between sessions can equip clients with the tools to better understand themselves, their symptoms, or learn new coping skills to practice. This also opens space for counsellor-client conversations. Review readings together to create common ground to build a strong foundation of trust and understanding. 

Encourage novel experiences 

Guide clients to build confidence and self-trust by encouraging them to go out into the world and seeking new experiences. The novelty keeps things interesting, while also showing clients first-hand that they’re capable of putting themselves out there. Another perk: new experiences slow down time and create a healthy break in client schedules — leading to hope and excitement for the future. 

This could look like: 

  • Trying a new hobby 
  • Joining a club
  • Volunteering 
  • Getting involved in community programs 
  • Attending social events 

Instilling new habits 

Try assigning clients small steps between sessions to build a new healthy habit. Breaking the goal into smaller pieces makes the habit attainable while creating points of contact to check-in together. Over time, clients gain the confidence to work towards bigger, more daunting habits. 

Boost homework compliance between sessions 

The most important component of homework is consistency and compliance. Keeping clients on-track between sessions ensures continued goal motivation and success. A digital homework app like Therachat allows counsellors and clients to work together, build trust, and maintain consistency. Clients are empowered to check-in however it feels best for them with features like daily homework reminders, skill-building activities, emotion tracking, and mindfulness exercises.

How counsellors can support parents struggling with mental health

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When a parent is struggling with their mental health, it can be hard on the entire family dynamic — particularly on the parent-child relationship. As the parent does their best to keep things afloat and avoid showing that they’re not doing their best, this can leave the child confused and feeling that something is off. It’s helpful for parents to navigate tough moments and feelings with a counsellor by their side — someone to lean on, and offer support and guidance. However, supporting a parent comes with its own challenges. They lead busy lives with packed schedules, making it difficult to book appointments as much as counsellors would like to.

Here’s how counsellors can support parents between sessions, and at a distance. 

Assign homework

Assigning homework between sessions allows parents to keep their mental health top of mind in their day-to-day lives. The assigned task brings their focus back on their progress and creates a better chance that they’ll keep up with regular sessions. 

Benefits of homework: 

  • Give clients control over their wellness: Completing a homework assignment reminds. 
  • Strengthen the counsellor-client relationship: Creating a space for discussion of homework progress and results fosters healthy, open conversations between counsellors and their clients. 
  • Makes progress tracking a breeze: Homework creates an anchor for clients to begin tracking their progress. It’s also a fantastic tool to look back on to see how far they’ve come.

Help parents define moments of self care

Yes, parents are immensely busy taking care of their children and families. However, there are moments in the day where they can sneak in self-care, even if it’s just a few minutes. Maybe it’s taking 5 minutes to read before bed. Or a few deep breaths before swinging by to pick up the kids from school. A few of these self-care moments sprinkled throughout the day can lift mood, and bring the focus back on mental wellness — keeping it top of mind between sessions. 

Counsellors can support parents with a digital homework app

It’s important to keep up with busy clients between sessions to maintain on-growth and ensure homework compliance. Research has found that counsellors who don’t consistently follow up on homework assignments are less likely to generate patient regard for the activity. It’s all too easy for patients to forget about homework or put it off when out of office — especially for busy clients like parents. 

A digital homework app like Therachat is an innovative tool that counsellors can use to support clients. This is especially beneficial for busy parents who cant always make it into regular sessions. Therachat offers emotion tracking, skill-building, thought reframing activities, and progress tracking — all in one app. It’s an accessible tool that parents can reach for when they need a boost between sessions. It’s another way that counsellors can support parents with their mental health.

Level up your counselling practice with a digital tool that better supports your patients between sessions. Learn more about Therachat for clinicians.

Journal Prompts for Wellness in 2022

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As we get settled into the new year, now is the perfect time to check in with clients about their New Year’s resolutions. Many have chosen resolutions with the goal of mental clarity, stillness, and anxiety reduction. Journalling is an amazing way to encourage clients to get their thoughts onto a page rather than ruminating. 

However, most clients who want to journal struggle with where to start. That’s why journal prompts are a fantastic catalyst to get clients to self-reflect, to get in a growth mindset, and to examine the habits needed to get them there. We’ve laid out 12 habits to share with your clients to get them in the right headspace for the remainder of 2022. 

Journal prompts for self-reflection: 

  1. What’s a self-limiting belief that’s holding me back? 
  2. What’s one thing I can do when I’m feeling stressed?
  3. My mantra for 2022 is…
  4. When do I feel most energized? How can I make more time for that in my life?

Journal prompts for growth: 

  1. What’s one goal I want to accomplish this year?
  2. One thing I’m looking forward to this year is…
  3. What’s one thing I want less of? 
  4. A new experience I want to have this year is…

Journal prompts for better habits: 

  1. Are my current routines getting me closer to my goals? If not, what needs to change? 
  2. What’s my one everyday non-negotiable? 
  3. What’s one small thing I can do every day to make myself smile? 
  4. What are three of my bad habits? How can I move towards bettering them? 

Keep them on the right track

As some clients get comfortable journaling, many may begin to see it as a self-care tool — reaching for their journal in times of stress. This is a positive habit to be encouraged. For other clients, there can be a huge benefit to journaling if only they were able to keep up with the habit. These clients require extra check-ins and encouragement as they get acquainted with writing. 


No matter what kind of client you’re working with, a digital homework app like Therachat keeps clients engaged with their goals between sessions for higher compliance. With daily reminders, emotion tracking, and in-app journal entries, it’s a powerful way for clients to engage with their homework in a way that’s familiar and comfortable — all on their own personal device. Hear from counsellors like you.

Counselling in 2022: lessons learnt and looking forward

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Counselling has evolved a lot in the past two years to accommodate the changes brought on by the global pandemic. Throughout it all, the focus was always on maintaining connections between clients and their counsellors. As we move into a new year, counselling will continue to evolve with the state of the world — but the focus on connection will be central to client-counsellor relationships. We’ve examined counselling in 2022 and broken down what counsellors can expect.

Hybrid counselling — online and in-person 

While 2020 forced counsellors and their clients to an online-only format, 2021 offered some breathing room. As pandemic numbers went down, clients who were comfortable going back to in-person counselling were able to do so. Many clients find the in-person, face-to-face interaction much more engaging than a video call, while others like the convenience of online. Offering more choice is key. That being said, with variants like Omicron on the rise, counselling may go back to strictly online, so counsellors should be prepared to make changes. 

Emphasis on digital solutions 

As the industry and it’s clients embrace virtual counselling, digital tools like Therachat are essential to ensure clients are staying on-track between sessions and meeting their goals. Therachat is an innovative digital homework tool that counsellors can use to support their clients from a distance. It offers features like daily homework reminders, skill-building activities, emotion tracking, and mindfulness exercises. It’s a way to stay connected to your clients and support them as they meet their goals.

Stay flexible 

Though we’ve had some experience with the pandemic, no one can fully anticipate what’s to come. Counselling will continue to evolve with the global situation. That’s why flexibility is key. Counsellors who offer the ability to provide both virtual and in-person sessions allow clients more opportunity to show up and do the work. Whether they work from home or in an office, lead busy lives, or have open schedules. Counselling in 2022 is all about meeting clients where they are.

Counselling in 2022 will continue to evolve

2021 offered even more lessons for counsellors and their clients to take into the new year. In 2022, counsellors can support clients by staying flexible with online and in-person options — which will allow for resilience when it comes to global changes. Counsellors can also stay connected to clients between sessions by incorporating digital tools into their practice, allowing for more check-ins between sessions. 

Are you ready to integrate digital tools into your practice? Therachat can help. Find out how we can support your practice in 2020. Learn more.