Fulfillment of therapeutic tasks as a precondition for acceptance in therapy
Omer, H.
American Journal of PsychoTherapy 39(2): 175-186
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9564 PMID: 4014519 Document Number: 251220
The opening moves in therapy are charged with consequences for what is to follow. They determine who is to direct the therapeutic interaction. They lead to the crystallization of mutual expectations and also of the patients expectations from himself. They set the pace for therapeutic activities that generate change. By setting therapeutic tasks as a precondition for acceptance in therapy, the therapist takes the lead in defining the values of crucial variables: the patient's expectations from therapy; his activity obligations outside the therapy room; his level of functioning at the beginning of therapy; his level of commitment to change; the expected rhythm of progress. All of these are set by the therapist at a higher level. The nature of the tasks themselves should be such as to open up possibilities for ongoing work and to enhance the patient's self-efficacy expectations. The tasks are to be given in detail and with full specifications as to the criteria for their fulfillment. The effects of task-presentation on morale are generally good. Drop-out rate seems to be low when precondition-tasks are used. Patients often become optimistic at the end of the first session; change becomes an attainable aim. Some difficulties with these tasks have been discussed, as well as some possible limitations for their use.