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

Chapter 97 There is a problem

Li Minglu's medical records were detailed in the transfer documents, so Nan Zhuren knew about them.

Seeking diagnosis and treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangdu University is a good option.

Like psychological counseling, psychiatry in China started relatively late, and many small hospitals do not have a psychiatry department. Even if they do, it is usually staffed by older doctors who are planning to retire and have received some psychological training before starting their practice.

In terms of specific psychological professional practices, they are very weak.

In comparison, choosing an affiliated hospital of a top university in the province will provide a more reliable outcome.

Li Minglu continued to recall: "After going there, um... I registered, waited in line, found a doctor, then did a questionnaire, and got a diagnosis."

A fairly standard process.

"After the score on that scale came out, the doctor asked me about my usual feelings and thoughts, and how long I had had these thoughts. The final diagnosis was [moderate depression]."

Moderate cases require attention, but they are not the most serious situation.

"After that, the doctor had a brief chat with me and then recommended that I go to an outside counseling center to find a counselor for counseling."

Nan Zhuren nodded. This wasn't quite standard, but it was reasonable.

In China, there is a relatively clear distinction between the job responsibilities of a "psychologist" and a "psychological counselor," especially for doctors in hospital psychiatric departments.

Apart from some specialized hospitals that focus on psychotherapy and intervention, psychiatrists in general hospitals are only responsible for diagnosis and prescription, and do not conduct psychotherapy commonly known as "talk therapy". Patients who register and come to the hospital are expected to leave after sitting down for about ten minutes.

Generally speaking, after a diagnosis in the psychiatric department of a hospital, one should seek out an external psychologist for long-term intervention; this is a more complete process.

Given the current chaotic state of the psychological counseling market, having a professional doctor recommend a familiar counseling center and counselor is clearly better than someone outside the field blindly searching for a counselor.

However, doctors usually do this out of caution, because if the recommended consultant fails to handle the patient well, it could easily backfire on the doctor.

"I found the consultation center by following the business card the doctor gave me. The consultant there was supposedly a professor from Jiangnan University."

"They connected me with a counselor, and after we talked, they prescribed me medication."

Wait, wait...

Nan Zhuren was stunned for a moment, then his pupils suddenly dilated.

【! ! ! 】

Beyond their respective functions, there is a more fundamental difference between a psychological counselor and a psychologist.

That's because mental health counselors don't have prescription privileges!

Psychological counseling centers are not allowed to prescribe medication to their clients!

[A major problem has arisen!]

This psychological counseling center was recommended by doctors in the Department of Psychiatry at Jiangnan University Affiliated Hospital, and the person in charge is even a professor from Jiangnan University... who knows, he might even be a "teacher"!

No, no, no, let's not think about such irregularities for now. If the flaws were really that glaring, why would the "teacher" so easily and directly refer the patient?

In an instant, a thousand thoughts began to collide in Nan Zhuren's mind.

He vaguely felt something being awakened within him, something not controlled by thought, but something inside his body, almost like muscle memory or a conditioned reflex.

He didn't even pay much attention to the visitor's account.

[Readjust your mood!]

A slight weariness washed over him, and Nan Zhuren's wildly beating pupils instantly calmed down.

[Perhaps the visitor misspoke; he went to a "private clinic" rather than a "consultation center," and clinics also have prescription privileges.]

[But the hospital won't prescribe the medication; they specifically recommend going to a private clinic outside... there's something fishy going on.]

In any case, these are all digressions, matters outside of the consultation itself. Nan Zhuren's most important task right now is to focus on doing a good job with the consultations in front of her.

……

By this time, the visitor had already spoken for a while.

Nan Zhuren had no choice but to interrupt briefly to make up for his momentary lapse in concentration.

He looked interested: "What you just said seemed quite interesting. Could you please repeat it briefly?"

Meeting skills: repetition.

This technique is often used to help visitors realize the focus of the conversation, or to make lying visitors feel self-contradictory.
Or—subtly return to counseling after the counselor's mental state has deteriorated.

Li Minglu was slightly taken aback after hearing Nan Zhuren's words, and nodded, saying, "As I just said, I was somewhat reluctant when I was initially prescribed the medicine because I heard that these medicines are addictive or something."

"But the doctor said my illness was 'infectious depression,' and that if I stayed at home for a long time, my condition might affect my family. He said that medication would be better, so I ended up taking it."

Nan Zhuren's expression remained unchanged, but his brows furrowed slightly.

This statement is actually not wrong, because the depressed mood caused by depression does have an influencing effect on the surrounding environment.

However, when considered in light of the earlier steps, everything becomes much more meaningful.

After that, Li Minglu talked about his consultation experience at the center and his recent feelings.

Nan Zhuren made a mental note of everything and began to make his own judgment.

“At the very beginning, you seemed to keep talking about the issue of 'work'—you gradually lost interest in drawing, but because drawing is your job, you forced yourself to draw even when you had no inspiration, even if it made you feel more and more uncomfortable?”

Li Minglu pursed his lips: "Yes, because I have to support my family, and all I can do is draw."

"When you first received the medication, you didn't want to take it; it wasn't until the doctor said that your 'condition' would affect your family that you decided to take it, right?"

Li Minglu nodded.

"You are a very responsible person, someone who values ​​family a lot. These are very valuable qualities for a man, a husband, and a father."

Nan Zhuren conducted a positive regard exercise. In his interventions with patients with depression, he frequently and appropriately used this technique to build the confidence of his clients.

Li Minglu didn't feel praised: "This is what I should do, there's nothing to praise. On the contrary, my current illness... has become a burden on my family, which is really wrong."

Nan Zhuren did not continue to persuade him, but instead prepared to change the subject.

He glanced at the wall clock.

“I have a basic understanding of your previous situation. In order to conduct our subsequent consultation, I need to form a basic impression of you.”

"We have a little time left. Based on your previous consultation experience, I'm going to do a simple test that you haven't done before."

"It's called the 'House-Tree-Person Drawing Test'."

　Let me briefly describe my experiences over the past two days.

　　I was scammed online. The criminals impersonated my work colleagues to contact me, stole my personal information, and then used fabricated photos and videos to blackmail me.

　　We've already contacted the police, but there will be some follow-up issues and processing, which will affect updates. We can only guarantee one chapter a day. Please read on and wait until the book is available for purchase before returning (please come back...).

　　The money I saved up for my three years of graduate school tuition and living expenses is all gone, so I have to start saving money all over again... That's why I'll definitely write this book well, everyone can rest assured...

　　And now something truly absurd has happened—I, a therapist, have gone to see a therapist for counseling…

　　The only good news is that I have writing material now; I plan to write about myself as the third case study.

　　Everyone, beware of online scams! No matter what the other party says, never believe them, and do not follow their instructions. The only way to stop the situation is to act immediately! Don't hesitate, call the police right away!!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)