Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 141 Finding Cognitive Contradictions

Li Minglu demonstrated strong self-motivation when faced with drug intervention.

In daily life, however, they seem to lack motivation, drifting with the tide and even passively accepting their fate.

Nan Zhuren's consultant intuition told him that finding the reason for Li Minglu's different behaviors in these two situations was the key to curing Li Minglu.

And now.

Since Li Minglu himself is motivated, the best approach is to make him realize this.

What Nan Zhuren needs to do is to channel Li Minglu's motivation, directing it in a direction that can inspire daily life and thus change Li Minglu's life.

After several ideas collided in his mind, Nan Zhuren selected the most suitable intervention method for the current situation from the several alternative options he had considered.

"You seem to be feeling unwell?"

The memory had clearly made Li Minglu relive the inappropriate scene and emotions, to the point that he appeared somewhat stiff.

Upon hearing Nan Zhuren's question, he looked up and replied, "It's alright."

The phrase "I'm alright" translates to, "I'm indeed uncomfortable, but I can still bear it. However, if you continue like this, things might get complicated."

That's the gist of it.

"From your description, I can sense that there seem to be some contradictions in your life and cognition. These contradictions are troubling you and have given rise to negative emotions."

Nan Zhuren slowly said, "Next, we need to work together to uncover these contradictions and find out what they really are."

……

Nan Zhuren still chose to focus on cognitive behavioral therapy, supplemented by other techniques.

Initiating this level of intervention during the second consultation is actually quite radical.

However, Li Minglu himself had already received long-term intervention and was considered one of the better-recovered individuals among those with depression.

At the same time, he also has a considerable motivational basis.

Therefore, Nan Zhuren judged that it was entirely feasible to start formal intervention treatment at this moment.

……

After listening to Nan Zhuren's words, Li Minglu nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Nan Zhuren smiled and said, "First, we need to do a relaxation exercise."

Because of the recollection just now, Li Minglu's emotions were very mixed and his body was very tense, so it was essential to relax his mind as preparation.

This is where the function of a two-seater sofa becomes apparent. Although it is not as comfortable as a dedicated relaxation chair, it is enough to provide visitors with a certain degree of comfort and security.

Nan Zhuren instructed Li Minglu to lie down.

"First, choose a position that is most comfortable for you."

Li Minglu closed his eyes and stretched his body uneasily a few times.

“Okay,” he replied.

I'm still a little nervous.

Nan Zhuren lowered her voice, trying to make it as calming as possible.

"It's okay, we can continue to adjust."

"You can close your eyes and imagine the sofa is your bed at home, and everything is quiet around you..."

As Nan Zhuren spoke, he drew the curtains, reducing the brightness of the room to a level that was sufficiently reassuring.

As he narrated, Li Minglu continued to stretch and adjust his posture. Every now and then, he would wriggle on the sofa, rubbing the exposed skin of his neck and wrists against the fabric on the outside of the sofa.

To be fair, although the consultation room was decorated rather "simplely," a considerable amount of money was spent on the sofa, as the fabric was a relatively expensive and soft type.

This must be Weng Pingting's insistence. Nan Zhuren could see that the skin on Li Minglu's face, which had been tightened, gradually relaxed.

"Can you hear me?" Nan Zhuren asked tentatively.

It's definitely possible; Nan Zhuren mainly needs Li Minglu's current feedback.

"Yes," Li Minglu replied.

[His voice was much lower than when he answered "okay" before.]

It's loosened up quite a bit too.

"Then I need you to follow my instructions and start adjusting your breathing."

"Inhale longer and more gently; exhale faster and more forcefully."

"Inhale—, exhale, inhale—, exhale, inhale—"

"Very good. Now exhale more gently and slowly, but still maintain a faster pace than your inhalation."

"Inhale—, exhale… inhale—, exhale…"

Similar to the relaxation training Chen Ting underwent before her "systematic desensitization therapy," Li Minglu and Nan Zhuren's counseling relationship was not as deep as Chen Ting's, so it took more time.

Fortunately, there was no need to get too absorbed in it. Once Li Minglu's breathing calmed down, Nan Zhuren got straight to the point.

"Now, I need you to imagine a scenario—a scenario from your daily life."

"What would your ideal day be like?"

"What do you hope to see when you wake up? What do you hope to do throughout the day?"

"Work? Studying? Hanging out with friends?"

Nan Zhuren patiently guided him: "Based on these, I need you to construct your ideal day."

The consultation room was very quiet; the only sound was Li Minglu's deep breathing.

His breathing became increasingly even, and he let out a long breath.

"The ideal day..."

"When I wake up in the morning, I hope that I can open my eyes and see my wife's face."

Li Minglu pursed his lips, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

It really is only a very slight degree.

[A smile, a warm smile.]

"Then I get up. If I get up early, I make breakfast; if my wife gets up early, she makes it; if we both stay in bed, I go out to buy breakfast, and then my wife goes to wake up our daughter and son."

"After lunch, I might work in the morning. I'll look at magazines for a while, chat with friends, and then paint or handle other things related to painting. My wife will do the housework."

"What we do in the afternoon depends on the situation. Normally, I would like to stay in my studio, whether it's painting, playing games, or watching TV series. If my wife has plans, then we'll go out and meet up with friends; if it's a day off, then we'll take the kids out to play."

"Evening...evening is for rest, right? Dinner, washing dishes, I help the kids with their homework, I help them study, and if we have time, we can go for a walk together. My wife might watch TV, chat on the phone with friends, etc., and it would be best if she could spend time with me and the kids..."

"Of course, I sometimes have trouble sleeping. If I'm still awake by 1 a.m., I'll get up and draw for a while, since I tend to have more inspiration at night..."

Nan Zhuren didn't say a word at this time, but just scribbled down keywords in his notebook.

Li Minglu paused for a moment: "That's all for my ideal life."

His aura was very peaceful at the moment.

It felt like sunshine, like a gentle breeze, and even carried a faint scent of grass and flowers.

Unfortunately, this peace was about to be shattered by Nan Zhuren himself.

(End of this chapter)