The Role of homework in
counseling
As
mentioned above, homework is essential in counseling. It is the connection between counselor and
counselee that works to provide data and a regimen of working through problems. Counselees do homework as a means of moving
beyond their habitual problems to live victoriously in Christ. We seek to
change habit patterns with a practical application of scripture for
homework. As the process progresses,
counselees will be given a structured plan of homework that is tailored to
their problem.
Data
gathering is the main function of homework for the counselor. It is not the sole means, but it drives the
counseling sessions. Counselors will
review homework for a clue to habits, changes, and progress in the counselee. It is by means of successful victories,
evidenced in homework, that the counselor will know when to let the counselee
discontinue regular counseling sessions.
The
most essential piece of homework for the second session is the Personal Data
Inventory (PDI).[1] This homework form is an extensive
questionnaire of the thoughts, background, habits, concerns, life situations,
and past counseling history of the counselee.
Upon completion of the PDI the counselor reviews each answer with the
disciple during the second session in order to gain a clear understanding of
why the counselee is attending counseling.
He also uses this as a time for the answers to be expounded upon,
probing for more details. This is essential to the progress of the future
sessions. The PDI often reveals core
issues that are deeper than symptoms that the counselee may believe they need
to address.
Because there
are certain physiological conditions that may affect behavior, the counselor
should also assign the Health History Questionnaire as homework in the initial
session. It is essential that the
counselor investigate physiological conditions that could be the cause of
improper behavior. This is intended to gather data that will help the counselor
know if a person has had thyroid or diabetic problems or other conditions that
may influence their abilities. It will
also reveal what medicines they are taking.
This is important as some medications have behavior altering side
effects.
Another critical piece in solving problems for
counselees is dealing with the stigma of labels assigned to them from
psychologists. For example, a person who
believes that they are bipolar may blame mental illness for their actions and
thusly attempt to solve their failures through pills rather than accepting
responsibility for sin. We may find
situations where we will have to discuss the diagnosis of mental illness and
psychological labels and how they are often assigned. This is in contrast to verifiable data and to
biblical teaching. We must be very
careful when discussing medications with clients. Only a trained physician should recommend or
change prescriptions for a counselee.
For the
counselor, the homework assignments are designed to find information about
habits and thoughts that must be understood.
When a counselor is not completely sure of a pattern, motive, situation,
or cause of a person’s behavior then they should assign specified
homework. This may include assignments
regarding marriage failures, personal habits, personal struggles, and
interpretation of scriptures. Constantly
there are new and improving assignments developing for data gathering. Biblical counselors need to be continuing
their education in order to be aware of these advances.
The
second role of homework is for the direct benefit of the counselee. Whereas the counselee and counselor meet only
once a week, homework fills the void with daily assignments that cause the
counselee to think about and understand the problems and solutions relevant to
their needs. Just as we daily need God
and not just on Sunday, homework brings to practice the presence of God on a
daily basis.
Homework is to
help a counselee to begin with action for change, even when they do not have
the emotional feeling to do so. The changing
of habits is rarely enjoyable or easy at the beginning. Thus the counselor uses
homework to motivate and direct a counselee to do that which is necessary to
begin new character traits.
Through
Paul’s admonitions to put off and put on, counselors seek to create patterns of
behavior that accentuate this truth.[2] A homework assignment for an angry wife may
be to daily perform and record three acts of love for her husband. This puts into motion proper behavior. As the sessions continue the emotional
character of love and forgiveness will follow.
Homework
also helps in renewing the mind. As
James commanded us to “receive the word implanted”, we are to be “hiding the
word in our hearts”, that we would not sin.[3] Homework is designed to help the counselee
think godly thoughts. Here God softens
the heart and brings truth to fruition.
The homework serves to become a constant prompter to follow the ways of
God. Without mind renewing homework the
counselee will never take to heart the truth that sets them free.
[1]
I say second session as usually the first session is reserved for explaining
the nature of Biblical counseling and the requirements of the counselee to
honor God, do what God says, and to complete the homework. The counselee takes the PDI home and returns
it prior to the scheduling of a second session as a way of signifying
commitment to biblical counseling.
[2]
Eph 4:24, Col
[3]
James 1:21, Psalm 119:109
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