What is a "carryover" strategy in therapy?

A "carryover" strategy in therapy refers to techniques that assist clients in applying the skills they have learned during therapeutic sessions to their everyday situations. This approach is vital because the ultimate goal of therapy is not only to teach skills in a controlled environment but also to ensure that individuals can utilize these skills independently in real-life contexts. For instance, if a client has worked on speech clarity during sessions, a carryover strategy would involve them practicing that skill in home or community settings, thus reinforcing learning and enhancing overall communication abilities.

This concept emphasizes the importance of generalization, where skills learned in therapy transfer seamlessly to various aspects of daily life. It fosters greater independence for clients and helps them achieve lasting changes, which are the benchmarks of successful therapy.

Other strategies mentioned relate to specific aspects of therapy, such as academic improvements, peer interactions, or increasing session frequency, but they do not directly address the core intention of helping clients make use of their developed skills in real-world scenarios.