Table 5.

Principles of giving and carrying out the homework assignments

Components and goals of homework assignments

Aid in identification of specific factors (cognitions, attitudes), which may be maintaining the sexual dysfunction

The homework assignments also provide the couple the specific techniques to deal with particular problems

Important procedural aspects of homework assignments

The instruction needs to be detailed and precise

The therapist needs to always check that the couple have fully registered and understood the instructions before the treatment session ends

When giving instructions the therapist needs to ask the couple how they feel about the instructions and do they anticipate any difficulty. If problems are anticipated, the therapist needs to endeavor to resolve their fears before they attempt the assignment

A couple need not be asked to move to the next stage of the program until they have mastered the current assignments

A couple should never be left with the option of moving from one stage to the next between treatment sessions depending on how they progress because uncertainty can be detrimental

The couple need to be informed that the therapist will be asking for the detailed feedback on the progress at the next treatment session