Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!

Nan Zhubin glanced at the clock on the wall.

This consultation was already in the second half, the phase for summarizing and setting the stage.

After listening to Nan Zhubin’s recap, Jie Nianzhou initially pulled at the corners of his mouth and then pressed his lips together:

"So the first stage is considered complete?"

Nan Zhubin first nodded, then gently shook his head: "It’s not ’complete,’ because we still need to continue doing the current homework to reasonably control our behaviors."

Nan Zhubin smiled: "After all, we’re not yet at the point where we can ’record whenever we want, or not record whenever we don’t want.’"

Jie Nianzhou nodded thoughtfully.

"We also need to be careful not to suddenly stop recording just because we feel the situation has improved." Nan Zhubin warned.

Jie Nianzhou nodded vigorously: "Of course. Unless one day you say I can try, that’s when I’ll do it."

This sentence was the best proof of a strong consulting relationship.

If earlier Jie Nianzhou’s proactive consultation attitude was simply out of a desire to change himself, now it’s due to seeing life gradually improve under Nan Zhubin’s professional guidance, thereby establishing complete trust.

"However—" Nan Zhubin looked at the earnest Jie Nianzhou, and then smiled.

"—our first phase is considered quite maturely completed. Under the premise of ensuring the current phase’s results, we can try to initiate the second phase, running them concurrently."

Upon hearing this, Jie Nianzhou lifted his head, leaned slightly forward, and said nothing.

"The second phase focuses on your cognition and the irrational beliefs arising from your cognitive structure."

Jie Nianzhou’s breathing stagnated for a moment.

The first phase of work mainly targeted behaviors, focusing on observable and quantifiable obsessive symptoms.

The cognitive work of the second phase is deeper. Changes in this area often can trigger deep-seated pain.

Nan Zhubin slowly guided: "We have already tried to establish two connections before." Nan Zhubin said.

"The first is the relationship between your experiences in the past year, your former mentor, current mentor, and your current symptoms."

Jie Nianzhou nodded.

"The second is the earlier family experiences, concerning some major childhood events, your parents’ upbringing methods, and the relationship with your current core beliefs."

"What we need to do next is to string these two connections together. We need to systematically unravel those ’stories’ in your mind."

The purpose of this consultation was not to delve deeply but to leave a hook, giving the visitor space to face the wound and engage in self-reflection.

Nan Zhubin gestured as if unzipping: "For instance, the former mentor incident—do you still feel it was your fault?"

Jie Nianzhou was silent for two seconds: "Rationally, I know it’s not..."

Having gone through six sessions of consultation, there were indeed some results.

"But... that feeling still exists." Jie Nianzhou added immediately, "The previous feeling always lingers, occasionally surfacing."

Nan Zhubin nodded: "Good. Next session, we will start from this ’feeling’ and do a detailed breakdown."

Nan Zhubin withdrew his hand, his tone shifting from formal to gentler: "Next session, we can use a tool called ’Responsibility Pie Chart.’ You draw a circle and divide it into several segments, each representing someone or a factor responsible for the former mentor incident. You occupy one segment, your mentor occupies one, the school occupies one, even luck can occupy one."

"Then we will see—how big your segment really is."

Jie Nianzhou furrowed his brows: "...I’ve tried doing such analysis for myself."

"And the result?"

Jie Nianzhou replied: "It didn’t work. I know I occupy a small segment, but that feeling still fills me up."

"Did you specifically write these things down or draw them?"

Jie Nianzhou was stunned: "...No, I haven’t."

Thoughts "staying in the mind" and "specifically writing them down" are two entirely different states; this had been explained before.

"Currently, you’re still ’using reason to convince feelings.’" Nan Zhubin said.

"But reason cannot convince feelings. Therefore, we need to use feelings to touch feelings."

Nan Zhubin drew a circle in the air: "Because of time constraints, we won’t dive into it today. You can go home and try it yourself first. Then, when we have our next session, draw another one for comparison."

Nan Zhubin smiled: "I believe you will have some gains."

Jie Nianzhou felt a bit doubtful, as the results were not yet seen, and the so-called "drawing a pie chart" didn’t sound like a profound psychological consulting technique that would generate expectations.

But since it’s suggested by Nan Zhubin.

Jie Nianzhou nodded: "I’ll give it a try."

Nan Zhubin nodded.

Then began the final summary.

"Let’s review our experiences so far." Nan Zhubin said.

"When you first came, you said, ’I can’t control myself.’"

Nan Zhubin raised his left hand, representing the past; then raised his right hand, representing the present.

"Now you say, ’I still have that feeling, but I know what it is’—this is the first change."

"The second change is that you’ve started to see that some of the old stories in your mind might be problematic."

"The third change is that you know what you’re going to do next."

Nan Zhubin smiled: "This progression is very gratifying."

Jie Nianzhou also pulled at the corners of his mouth: "Indeed... When I first came, I thought it might take me a year to reach where I am now. I genuinely prepared for the long haul... not expecting to be completely better, even if there’s just relief or improvement would be fine."

After all, Jie Nianzhou had already consulted quite a few consultants and consulting teachers before, so expectations were very low.

"But now... I feel there’s indeed a significant change."

Nan Zhubin offered [Support] and [Positive Attention]: "The treatment for [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder], the slowest part is actually the beginning. Once we can start doing things that were previously impossible, the subsequent progress will be faster than imagined."

"Moreover, you have an advantage that many visitors don’t—you know the theory but lack the experience. Once the experience is established, it won’t disappear."

Jie Nianzhou’s chin relaxed slightly, and his lips turned upward.

"Are we still meeting at this time next session?" Jie Nianzhou asked.

"Of course." Nan Zhubin nodded. He had now specifically set this time aside.

Click—

Accompanied by Jie Nianzhou’s departure, Nan Zhubin began to adjust his state.

There are two more consultations afterward, followed by driving back to school for political theory class, after which he’ll return to the research group office to review papers.

Nan Zhubin’s life is still quite regular now.

However, a month’s time has still brought some changes.

And for Nan Zhubin—or for the entire research group—something significant is about to happen.

Weng Pinting is returning.

-----------------

"Senior sister’s plane lands tomorrow, teacher, are you going to pick her up?" Shi Qianqian asked Bai Qinghua.

Bai Qinghua couldn’t respond to Shi Qianqian’s question.

In the eyes of most students in the office, Bai Qinghua seemed to rush back to his esports room like the wind.

After less than two breaths, he rushed out again.

"Everyone organize your recent research progress today, and report to me individually tonight!"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!