Activity homework. To combat client demands and musts, therapists may make
assignments that reduce irrational beliefs. When clients are in a situation where
they feel others should treat them fairly, the therapist may suggest that they
stay in the uncomfortable situation and teach themselves to deal with hard or uncomfortable
tasks. For example, rather than quitting a job, a client may work
with an unreasonable boss and listen to unfair criticism but mentally dispute
the criticism and not accept the boss’s beliefs as her own irrational beliefs. Other
situations might include asking someone for a date or making an attempt to fail
at a task, such as writing a report poorly (Ellis, 1962). Clients often observe that
when they do such tasks, they are anxious or self-conscious at first but are able to
comprehend the irrational beliefs underlying their emotions.