Introduction

According to cognitive therapy as espoused by Aaron T. Beck, the transfer and maintenance of behavioral and cognitive skills into practical and sustainable real-life application ultimately determines positive therapeutic outcomes. However, the optimal process for ensuring this transfer and maintenance has not been explicitly studied. This particular series of C&BP adds to the growing body of literature on cognitive therapy for complex and chronic problems. A case conference and supervision recommendations are presented as a resource for cognitive and behavioral practice. The focus of this series is the integration of homework assignments into therapy. Developing a collaborative therapeutic relationship and individualized cognitive conceptualization were part of the original formulation of standard cognitive therapy (A. T. Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979), and are essential foundations to therapeutic work with challenging patient problems (J. Beck, 2005). Therefore, in keeping with the spirit of cognitive therapy, this series of C&BP places emphasis on the therapeutic collaboration and cognitive conceptualization processes that greatly enhance the effective use of homework assignments.