In her work as a therapist, what role will Karla primarily play in cognitive therapy?

A) She is merely a sounding board for the client, who is provided a safe means of confronting sensitive issues.
B) She attempts to cause the client to have an anxiety attack in a setting where it can be controlled and studied.
C) She plays the role of a sympathetic Socrates who asks questions to show the client that certain thoughts are irrational.
D) She asks a series of very personal questions to desensitize the client and facilitate discussion of sometimes embarrassing problems.

In cognitive therapy, the therapist plays the role of a sympathetic Socrates who asks questions to show the client that certain thoughts are irrational. The therapist may also offer logical arguments to counter the client's irrational beliefs. Therefore, Karla will primarily play the role of a Socratic questioner in cognitive therapy. Option A is incorrect because the therapist is not merely a sounding board but an active participant in helping the client identify and challenge irrational beliefs. Option B is incorrect because cognitive therapy does not aim to cause anxiety attacks but rather to help the client learn more adaptive ways of thinking. Option D is incorrect because desensitization is a technique used in exposure therapy, not cognitive therapy.