Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!-Chapter 664 - 597: Gradual Work-Based Therapy

The first stage is to deepen and consolidate today’s consultation with Nan Zhubin.

It is also the foundation for Nan Zhubin’s subsequent intervention and treatment. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Bai Qinghua agreed with its rigorous rationale without even having to think about it.

Weng Pinting pondered for two seconds longer than the teacher and then asked, "You just mentioned the first stage, so what about the second stage?"

Nan Zhubin already had a draft in mind: "In the second stage, the main focus is on further exposing Li Lingling to the flood environment in a controlled setting, while also increasing her sense of control over herself."

"Once it is determined that her condition is stable and she can withstand the tasks of this stage—" Nan Zhubin initially stated this prerequisite with rigor.

"—I would like to try suggesting to the local officials that Li Lingling provide medical support specifically to the affected children here."

Nan Zhubin explained, "Although the children are also frightened, the overall atmosphere is gentler and more hopeful than that of the adult injury zone. Li Lingling’s task at this stage is to conduct routine health checks for the children, handle minor physical injuries, or organize some simple game activities."

"If she can successfully complete this part of the work, then I might try to teach her how to provide basic self-psychological adjustment education to other volunteers and staff—such as recognizing overreacting emergencies and how to engage in stable listening."

Regarding this arrangement by Nan Zhubin.

"Calming children does not necessarily require less effort than interacting with adults..." Weng Pinting instinctively retorted.

But thinking of Li Lingling’s situation, Weng Pinting paused.

Nan Zhubin explained, "Interacting with children is a psychological transition for Li Lingling because it can connect her with past traumatic experiences."

"Through interacting with children, especially successfully calming scared children, it is anticipated that Li Lingling will gain a new experience of ’I can protect the weak, rather than being swallowed by disaster’, which directly counters her core trauma."

"Furthermore..." Nan Zhubin stated his basis, "improving the state of the children serves as a kind of ’substitutionary enhancement’ and ’substitutionary healing’ for Li Lingling, which benefits her far more than helping adults."

’Substitutionary reinforcement’ is a core concept in Social Learning Theory, referring to an efficient learning method where one can gain experience without directly engaging in behavior but instead by observing others’ successes and failures.

In layman’s terms, it’s finding a "role model."

’Substitutionary healing’ extends from this. It is not an extremely strict clinical diagnostic term, but it is widely used in the fields of psychological consultation and trauma research.

By witnessing another "role model" with similar traumatic experiences successfully move toward healing, the observer themselves can also gain hope, strength, and positive change.

As an adult, Li Lingling precisely needs children to serve as her role models now.

This part of Nan Zhubin’s arrangement has a solid theoretical foundation.

The senior sister and the teacher were also more inclined to agree.

Weng Pinting also detected the implication in Nan Zhubin’s further speech: "Do you also want her to participate in our psychological assistance process?"

Nan Zhubin nodded: "Merely ’role model’ substitutionary healing is not enough. Li Lingling initially had severe ’role confusion’, so I hope to reintegrate her into a strong, cohesive new identity that consolidates those chaotic roles—a psychological caregiver."

Nan Zhubin said, "The incorporation of this role should greatly enhance Li Lingling’s sense of self-worth and self-identity."

"Moreover, helping others and imparting psychological knowledge also deepens her understanding of her own healing process."

Many people feel that when teaching others knowledge, they can gain a new understanding of that knowledge from other perspectives.

In student days, teachers encouraged students to help each other and solve problems together, which is based on this theory—of course, it also couldn’t exclude some teachers who were lazy and wanted to save some effort.

Weng Pinting at this moment fully understood Nan Zhubin’s intervention strategy and made a prediction for the next step: "If this stage is effective, would you want her to fully join our team in this mission next?"

...

Faced with the senior sister’s question.

Nan Zhubin straightforwardly nodded: "Yes, after all, our original plan was to have medical staff collaborate with us, wasn’t it? In many plans, we even prioritize medical personnel."

Weng Pinting laughed: "So your third stage focuses on ’Meaning Reconstruction’?"

Told correctly again.

Nan Zhubin confirmed: "When Li Lingling is in a better state, I hope she can accompany me in seeing the disaster-stricken or rescue personnel who complain of insomnia, heart palpitations, stomach pain, etc., but whose root cause is psychological trauma."

"She would be responsible for assessing and explaining the patients’ physical conditions, while I would handle the psychological aspect to jointly formulate a comprehensive mind-body intervention plan."

Weng Pinting raised her hand to stop Nan Zhubin’s speech.

Then she turned to Chonghui: "What is the rationale behind Zhuren’s plan?"

The big guy was stunned, a familiar feeling of being suddenly called upon to answer a question in class surged up.

But solid professional training allowed Chonghui to quickly react, and Weng Pinting had almost given the answer earlier.

"Regarding ’Meaning Reconstruction’... it means transforming Li Lingling’s role as a nurse and her traumatic experiences from a source of pain into a unique resource and strength for understanding and helping others."

Chonghui pondered as he spoke: "This effectively resolves her deep-seated ’survivor guilt’, as she is using this unique understanding to prevent others from experiencing similar pain."

"Although a part of this effect can be achieved in the second stage that Zhuren just mentioned, the sense of achievement provided in the adult world is better than in the children’s world on a more objective and macro level."

This answer was short, but hit the key points.

Weng Pinting nodded slightly, considering Chonghui as passing this impromptu quiz.

Standing beside, Shi Qianqian’s expression was eager to try, thinking she could answer what Chonghui did as well.

Therefore, she couldn’t help but urge: "Zhuren, is this stage done? Is there a fourth stage?"

...

There really is.

Nan Zhubin contemplated: "The intervention needs an end. In the final stage, I hope Li Lingling can perform a ceremonial farewell to the past. Some things cannot exist solely in cognition and thought; they need to be concluded through action and language."

Just like during the intervention with the Nan Zhihao case before, when letting the other party conduct a "mourning" for their parents.

"However..." Nan Zhubin shrugged, "the specifics of how to conduct this ceremony would depend on the situation at the time."