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

Chapter 590 A Direction

The two possibilities presented by Nan Zhuren point to two completely opposite directions.

But if it's the latter...

"The core of the whole problem has completely changed," Nan Zhuren sighed.

Shi Qianqian blinked. She didn't have that much knowledge about the study of schizophrenia, let alone the multi-faceted interpretation of hypnotic imagery.

So the visitor that Nan Zhuren was talking about could be so convoluted?

As she took another bite of cake, letting the sweetness refresh her, Shi Qianqian's gaze involuntarily drifted towards Mo Kai. If Shi Qianqian's eyes were currently clouded by the barriers between academic schools, Mo Kai's eyes were now clear because of a simple lack of understanding.

At least Shi Qianqian realized she hadn't figured it out after some thought, while Mo Kai didn't think at all and just kept absorbing new knowledge.

Seeing this situation, Shi Qianqian felt that she had regained some of her dignity as a senior sister and breathed a sigh of relief.

Weng Pingting and Nan Zhuren paid no attention to the two children's reactions. One was recalling something carefully, and the other was thinking deeply.

Silently reviewing Nan Zhuren's account of the situation, Weng Pingting asked, as if testing her, "So, it seems your hypnotherapy session was successful, but it has also brought you greater difficulties. How do you plan to proceed with the subsequent intervention?"

Nan Zhuren accurately picked up on the sarcasm in Weng Pingting's words and laughed, "I'm not afraid of difficulties arising during the consultation process; what I'm afraid of is that difficulties don't appear—and as long as they do appear, that's an opportunity."

After organizing his thoughts, Nan Zhuren said, "The core idea of ​​the consultation going forward is to maintain a 'hypothetical neutral' stance."

“I want to create a therapeutic space that can accommodate both possibilities at the same time, allowing the client to take the lead in the consultation and letting her subconscious motivations guide the process. This way, the truth can emerge safely, and in the process, her self-strength can be continuously strengthened to bear the truth.”

Nan Zhuren used very formal language, because after all, a junior brother and a senior sister who were about the same age as his junior sister were listening, and his case sharing actually had a bit of a teaching feel to it.

Weng Pingting glanced at Shi Qianqian beside her, then quickly turned back to Nan Zhuren: "Then how do you maintain neutrality, and how do you create a treatment space that can accommodate both possibilities?"

Nan Zhuren had already made a plan.

He wasn't truly troubled by Li Lingling's situation from last night until now; rather, he was genuinely developing a personalized intervention plan based on Li Lingling's unique circumstances.

"First, we will not presuppose the truth; the subsequent consultation phase will generally maintain an open and exploratory tone."

"Secondly, I am not fixated on getting her to tell the truth. Instead, I am more interested in her emotional reactions, defense mechanisms, and physical sensations as she gets closer to the truth. These process-related information are more authentic than the narrative itself."

"Third, before any potential trauma exploration, it is essential to ensure that the client has sufficient internal and external resources to cope with possible emotional shocks."

Of the three points Nan Zhuren mentioned, the first one is actually the consulting approach he and Li Lingling had been using in the previous consultation phase—exploration.

This will continue in the second phase, but it will no longer be the main objective. The focus of the consultation will shift to the second and third points.

Weng Pingting nodded in agreement: "What about the specific intervention plan?"

Nan Zhuren said confidently: "The 'early stage' of this phase is mainly about consolidating the results of this hypnotherapy and observing the client from multiple perspectives during the process."

"First, we deepen the client's 'observational self' and guide them to observe past traumas from an 'outsider' perspective as much as possible. This allows the client to collect details of the past from a safer perspective."

"Secondly, I will try to introduce the technique of [multiple narratives], and try to let her deconstruct her past traumatic experience from other perspectives."

"Finally, we focus on the client's physical sensations and emotional dissociation during this process."

At this point, Nan Zhuren exuded confidence: "I am quite confident in observing deep-seated emotions. If the client's emotional expression is more inward, it is [guilt] or [shame]; if it is more outward, it is [betrayal] or [anger]."

However, Nan Zhuren then became a little more serious: "Of course, the client is experiencing both of these emotions right now, and they are evenly matched, which is why I didn't immediately distinguish between them. But theoretically, things will change as the consultation progresses."

……

Indeed, this was the first time Nan Zhuren had encountered a setback when using micro-expression analysis to interpret emotions.

In the past, by observing those fleeting physiological reactions, Nan Zhuren was able to accurately pierce through the disguise of the other party and uncover their true self hidden under the mask.

But Li Lingling's situation this time is more complicated—both of her two completely opposite emotions are real.

At least, she herself believed it to be true.

Not only are these emotions genuine, but their proportions are also very close, almost even showing a "50/50" trend in her.

Even with intermediate-level micro-expression analysis, Nan Zhuren still couldn't achieve the level of precision required to discern true emotions like "one part indifference, two parts detachment, three parts sarcasm, and four parts nonchalance."

Therefore, he could only try to guide the client's emotions further during subsequent consultations.

Unfortunately, Nan Zhuren didn't have any other truly "case study" level clients. If he could successfully archive the cases, he could upgrade his micro-expression analysis and then read Li Lingling's work.

He currently only has one case-level client, Li Lingling.

Completing Li Lingling's [Case Archive] will allow you to upgrade to [Micro-expression Analysis]...

However, Nan Zhuren needs more advanced micro-expression analysis to accelerate Li Lingling's case archiving process...

Forget it, I don't want to take that shortcut anymore.

Let's take it one step at a time and proceed with the normal consultation process honestly.

……

“Very good, very solid preliminary work.” Weng Pingting asked, “What about the mid-term?”

Nan Zhuren said, "In the medium term, we will develop two different intervention plans based on the two different possibilities."

If it were an ordinary person, they might say "it depends on the situation" or "it's not too late to make plans after the specific situation is determined."

But Nan Zhuren, with his forward-thinking nature, wouldn't do that.

Plans may not keep up with changes, but that doesn't mean we should do nothing.

Only by establishing a framework as the main body, and then filling in and modifying the details after the so-called "changes" occur, can the consultation be completed in the most efficient and high-quality way.

After all, counseling and intervention are also highly time-sensitive processes.

Nan Zhuren said, "If the client was indeed abandoned, then there is a case I intervened in before that can be used as a reference. They all dealt with the trauma they experienced in childhood and then became independent."

The "case" in this sentence refers to Nan Zhihao not long ago.

"First, point out that her current unstable interpersonal and other social relationships are based on transference from her childhood experiences, which has led to a severe sense of anticipated abandonment. After pointing this out, work with her to address this transference." Transference is not simply about "the client falling in love with the therapist."

The correct definition of transference is: the psychological phenomenon in which a client unconsciously projects the emotions, attitudes, desires, and impulses they have developed in important relationships in the past onto the therapist.

In reality, transference is not limited to the relationship between counselor and client; it can occur between the client and anyone around them. The transferred "emotion" is not necessarily romantic love; it can also be repressed or uncontrollable negative emotions.

However, due to the special circumstances between the counselor and the client, most of the transference that occurs is relatively positive, or even erotic.

Nan Zhuren continued, "Secondly, it is necessary to correct the visitor's irrational cognition, eliminate her guilt, and let her express her anger and condemnation of her parents' abandonment behavior—this can be achieved using the 'empty chair technique'."

"Finally, we conduct a simple 'mourning ceremony' to allow visitors to say goodbye to the past and ultimately rebuild healthy self-worth and interpersonal boundaries."

A very clear logical line of thought.

Weng Pingting nodded: "What if she wasn't abandoned, but rather in the latter situation you described?"

This situation caused Nan Zhuren to involuntarily frown.

"In the latter case, the time span required will be longer, the requirements for strengthening the 'safe haven' will be higher, and the visitor will also need more psychological energy."

Nan Zhuren said, "I'm considering whether to use the technique of 'eye movement desensitization reprocessing'."

Weng Pingting nodded and said the abbreviation of the technique proposed by Nan Zhuren: "EMDR? It does have a healing effect on a single traumatic experience. When combined with the process of personality reconstruction and self-meaning reconstruction, it is indeed more effective."

Shi Qianqian's eyes lit up a little as she listened from the side. Eye movement desensitization reprocessing is a technique of the cognitive behavioral school of thought. Finally, a line of thought that she could follow had appeared!
Mo Kai simply took out his phone, opened the notes app, and wrote everything down, whether he understood it or not, so he could digest it later.

"It seems your thinking is quite mature. If nothing unexpected happens, this case will only get better and better."

Weng Pingting concluded, "Now you can even handle such a challenging case as borderline personality disorder!"

As she said this, a great weight was lifted from her heart, and she couldn't help but glance at Shi Qianqian beside her.

It seems that it's okay for this junior sister to grow up a little slower.

When Nan Zhuren was discovered in Jiangdu, Weng Pingting only thought about bringing a valuable talent to the research group and a cornerstone in the field of consulting.

Now it seems that this cornerstone has become a pillar of stability.

What an amazing rate of progress! What incredible talent!

That way, I'll have more free time to do other things...

Weng Pingting glanced at her phone: "Alright, we've finished talking, I should go in now."

Another plane landed outside the window; I wonder if it's the one Weng Pingting will be on later.

"You guys... keep it up."

Nan Zhuren and Mo Kai responded simultaneously, "Okay, Senior Sister, take care."

……

time flies.

After Weng Pingting and Shi Qianqian left, Mo Kai followed.

After all, it's almost New Year's Eve, and no matter how much this prospective junior student is focused on studying and working, it's time for him to go home for the New Year.

Nan Zhuren was organizing his work materials in his dormitory at Beidu Normal School. After the tall Chonghui left, the suite seemed rather empty.

After cleaning the residence, Nan Zhuren took the key to Bai Qinghua's company and retrieved the information of all the visitors he had handled in the past.

All these materials were carefully organized and translated into a verbatim transcript for teaching purposes.

Nan Zhuren then retrieved Li Lingling's information and made version after version.

When the plan had reached a point where there was no room for further changes, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and stood up.

Bai Qinghua's company is located in a business district, and the huge floor-to-ceiling windows allow Nan Zhuren to see a great distance.

The northern capital outside the window was enveloped in a grand celebration.

But the glass acts like a transparent barrier, shutting out all the sounds and leaving only the flowing, silent light and shadow.

The company was quiet; so quiet you could hear the faint hiss of water circulating in the radiators. Across the street was a residential complex, where the windows of the buildings were lit one after another, reflecting warm, complete squares of light.

Some lights seemed to come on, followed by a loud countdown, accompanied by cheers.

The lights flowed down like a golden waterfall, briefly illuminating Nan Zhuren's face and, in that instant, making the reflection in the window even clearer.

Nan Zhuren suddenly felt like a speck of dust, quietly floating above the huge jubilant melody that belonged to the whole city. He could see it, he could feel it, but he could never fall down.

He picked up the half-warm teacup and took a small sip. He observed the outside world quietly, as if he were observing a client in a consultation room.

“10、9、8……3、2、1！”

Suddenly, the noise outside the window reached its peak.

Suddenly, Nan Zhuren's phone rang.

"Happy New Year, Teacher Nan!!!"

A voice that seemed capable of warming even the winter came from the phone.

Just hearing the voice makes me imagine a warm, summery smile.

Then Nan Zhuren laughed and said, "Happy New Year to you too, Summer."

There was a commotion on the other end of the phone.

After things calmed down a bit, a hopeful voice called out again: "Teacher Nan, Teacher Nan, your postgraduate entrance exam results will be out after the New Year, right? You must let me know when you get them!"

Nan Zhuren nodded: "Okay, I'll tell you first."

(End of this chapter)