{"id":2099,"date":"2025-08-28T23:30:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T23:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.emotipal.com\/?p=2099"},"modified":"2026-03-14T16:20:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T16:20:27","slug":"the-future-of-psychotherapy-homework-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/blog\/the-future-of-psychotherapy-homework-research\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceCare and the Future of Psychotherapy Homework Research"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2099\" class=\"elementor elementor-2099\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-224f4af e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"224f4af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d81664e e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d81664e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c9b065 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c9b065\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-641937b e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"641937b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe79ebf elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe79ebf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For healthcare &amp; Wellbeing professionals<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef64715 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ef64715\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SpaceCare and the Future of Psychotherapy Homework Research<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be6618a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"be6618a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\nProf. Jason Spendelow, Clinical Psychologist<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-855cfad e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"855cfad\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2b6c4c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2b6c4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"margin-top: 32px; margin-bottom: 16px;\">Summary<\/h2><p>Time spent with a therapist is crucial to achieving a person\u2019s mental health goals. However, work done between sessions can also determine whether therapy outcomes are simply good or truly great. Many therapists use homework to maintain progress towards therapy objectives, helping bridge the gap between sessions.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Most adults who undertake certain types of evidence-based psychotherapy end up significantly better off than they would be without treatment. We know this through a particular type of research design called meta-analysis.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>This approach combines the results of multiple studies to answer a specific question. In this case: <strong>How effective is psychotherapy homework?<\/strong> We have learned much about homework in recent years, but many questions remain unanswered. Here at SpaceCare, we aspire to contribute meaningfully to advancing knowledge in this area, helping to make therapy come alive in daily life through effective homework activities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-535e25a elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"535e25a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/space.care\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unsplash-scaled-e1773445741569.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6720 lazyload\" alt=\"the future of psychotherapy homework research\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/space.care\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unsplash-scaled-e1773445741569.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6720 lazyload\" alt=\"the future of psychotherapy homework research\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72e7737 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72e7737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"margin-top: 32px; margin-bottom: 16px;\"><span style=\"font-size: calc(1.325rem + 0.9vw);\">Research Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are five priority areas for future research.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 12px;\">1. Mechanisms of Change<\/h3>\n<p>We know that psychotherapy homework helps people, so now we must better understand how homework acts to encourage positive change.<\/p>\n<p>Mechanisms could refer to factors such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A more can-do attitude towards tackling life challenges<\/li>\n<li>Improved ability to recognise and respond to unhelpful thinking patterns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Better understanding of key ingredients such as these will help us leverage homework for stronger outcomes.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 12px;\">2. Therapist Training<\/h3>\n<p>We need to research how therapists should assign, explain, and review homework, because therapist skill in this area is important in helping clients engage with between-session activities.<\/p>\n<p>For example, encouraging a client to review their own homework may work better than a therapist sharing their observations on a completed task.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 12px;\">3. Cross-Cultural Research<\/h3>\n<p>Homework research to date has mainly been conducted in Western populations using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). We need to better understand how homework should be adapted for different cultural, language, and social contexts.<\/p>\n<p>For example, homework may need to be framed in different ways, such as self-improvement or supporting the community, to better reflect cultural practices.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 12px;\">4. Focus on Engagement<\/h3>\n<p>Future research should look at how much clients engage with homework, not just ask whether they completed it. Effort and meaning taken from exercises are often more important than simply finishing the task.<\/p>\n<p>For example, reflecting on a thought diary entry with genuine curiosity may yield better outcomes than simply filling in the boxes.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 24px; margin-bottom: 12px;\">5. Technology and Innovation<\/h3>\n<p>We should study how apps and online platforms can make therapy homework easier to complete and more effective. We also need to know which technology tools work best to help people engage with exercises and the therapy process between sessions.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 32px; margin-bottom: 16px;\">Research Benefits<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The platform can help structure how therapists assign and review homework, supporting a more consistent and intentional approach to between-session activities.<\/li>\n<li>It emphasises engagement with homework activities, not just exercise completion, enabling the collection of richer datasets that researchers increasingly identify as necessary.<\/li>\n<li>Therapists and clients can observe and measure how different homework activities foster specific therapeutic changes over time.<\/li>\n<li>The system can help lower barriers to cultural adaptation by allowing therapists to tailor exercises to fit a client\u2019s unique cultural background and personal circumstances.<\/li>\n<li>It also provides an environment where digital features can be tested to better understand which functions improve homework adherence and therapy outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Taken together, these features make the platform both a therapeutic tool and a research infrastructure for generating the data and insights needed to make psychotherapy homework more effective.<\/p>\n<p>We welcome collaboration with therapists, clients, and researchers interested in unlocking the full potential of between-session therapeutic work.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top: 32px; margin-bottom: 16px;\">References<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Kazantzis, N., Whittington, C., &amp; Dattilio, F. (2010). <em>Meta-analysis of homework effects in cognitive and behavioral therapy: A replication and extension.<\/em> Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17(2), 144\u2013156.<\/li>\n<li>Mausbach, B. T., Moore, R., Roesch, S., Cardenas, V., &amp; Patterson, T. L. (2010). <em>The relationship between homework compliance and therapy outcomes: An updated meta-analysis.<\/em> Cognitive Therapy and Research, 34(5), 429\u2013438.<\/li>\n<li>Kazantzis, N., Lampropoulos, G. K., &amp; Deane, F. P. (2005). <em>A national survey of practicing psychologists\u2019 use and attitudes toward homework in psychotherapy.<\/em> Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(4), 742\u2013748.<\/li>\n<li>Kazantzis, N., Deane, F. P., &amp; Ronan, K. R. (2000). <em>Homework assignments in cognitive and behavioral therapy: A meta-analysis.<\/em> Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 7(2), 189\u2013202.<\/li>\n<li>Kazantzis, N., &amp; Lampropoulos, G. K. (2002). <em>Reflecting on homework in psychotherapy: What can we conclude from research and experience?<\/em> Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(5), 577\u2013585.<\/li>\n<li>Prasko, J. (2022). <em>Homework in cognitive behavioral supervision.<\/em> Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15, 202\u2013210.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec1f703 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec1f703\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a36d977 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a36d977\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-875876c e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"875876c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f9e03e e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8f9e03e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8aa856f elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8aa856f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Built by Professionals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28d8b9d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"28d8b9d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27cc430 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27cc430\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13d7ec1 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"13d7ec1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"http:\/\/pro.space.care\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-long-arrow-alt-right\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M313.941 216H12c-6.627 0-12 5.373-12 12v56c0 6.627 5.373 12 12 12h301.941v46.059c0 21.382 25.851 32.09 40.971 16.971l86.059-86.059c9.373-9.373 9.373-24.569 0-33.941l-86.059-86.059c-15.119-15.119-40.971-4.411-40.971 16.971V216z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Open SpaceCare<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13b55ce elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13b55ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">No sign-up, no email, no credit card required.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Therapy is most effective when it extends beyond the session. Evidence shows that structured homework in psychotherapy can be the difference between progress that lasts and progress that fades. This article explores what research says about therapy homework, why it matters, and how EmotiPal is helping make it more impactful in daily life.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":19,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2099","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2099"}],"version-history":[{"count":90,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6788,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2099\/revisions\/6788"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2099"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2099"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/space.care\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}