Referring to the written copy of the assignment, the therapist and patient review the previous homework assignment at the start of the next session. It is vital that the therapist follow up on homework assignments. If the therapist forgets about the homework, then the patient gets the message that the homework is not important and that the therapist does not value the patient’s efforts. This makes it less likely that the patient will follow through on future assignments. Attention and praise from the therapist are probably the most important reinforcers for completing homework assignments, especially in the early stages of behavioral pattern-breaking.