A patient states, "I'm starting cognitive behavioral therapy. What can I expect from the sessions?" Which responses by the nurse are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

A) "The therapist will be active and questioning."
B) "You may be given homework assignments."
C) "The therapist will ask you to describe your dreams."
D) "The therapist will help you look at ideas and beliefs you have about yourself."
E) "The goal is to increase your subjectivity about thoughts that govern your behavior."

Cognitive therapists are active rather than passive during therapy sessions because they help patients to reality test their thinking. Homework assignments are given and completed outside the therapy sessions. Homework is usually discussed at the next therapy session. The goals of cognitive therapy are to assist the patient to identify inaccurate cognitions, to reality test their thinking, and to formulate new, accurate cognitions. Dream describing applies to psychoanalysis, not cognitive behavioral therapy. The desired outcome of cognitive therapy is to assist patients in increasing their objectivity, not subjectivity, about the cognitions that influence behavior.