Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!
Chapter 394 - 387: Follow, Discover, Present, Observe, Uncover

Chapter 394: Chapter 387: Follow, Discover, Present, Observe, Uncover

In motivational interviewing, the consultant helps the client recognize how their current life situation is preventing them from achieving their ideal state and individual goals.

This "prevention" is the "contradiction."

The presentation and analysis of contradictions help enhance the client’s motivation for change.

The first level of contradiction for Xu Pengcheng is the contradiction between "dieting" and "performance enhancement."

The good thing is that this contradiction has already been revealed by reality, so Nan Zhubin just needs to point it out to Xu Pengcheng, forcing him to acknowledge this aspect.

Simultaneously, motivational interviewing and other cognitive restructuring techniques differ distinctly.

When dealing with other clients, Nan Zhubin often presents the multiple choices faced by the client, then informs them of the consequences of these choices, allowing the client to make their own decision.

However, there are two differences in Xu Pengcheng’s situation compared to other clients:

First, the choices Xu Pengcheng faces are limited, or rather singular—Nan Zhubin must make Xu Pengcheng realize the error of his current dieting behavior, then have him initiate eating willingly.

Second, Nan Zhubin can’t just tell Xu Pengcheng what choice to make—Xu Pengcheng absolutely knows, but he lacks the motivation to choose—hence Nan Zhubin needs Xu Pengcheng to consciously realize he should make this choice.

This is why Nan Zhubin chose this technique with a Humanism undertone.

During today’s cognitive restructuring session, he will primarily "follow," employing a large amount of various types of "questions," "feedback," and "listening."

Instead of "confrontation" and "teaching."

The main consultation style is "following," with even the color of "guidance" being very weak.

During the gaps as Xu Pengcheng ponders Nan Zhubin’s questions, Nan Zhubin continues to adjust and enrich the details of this consultation plan in his mind.

As his thoughts conclude, Xu Pengcheng already has an answer in mind.

"Indeed, uh, maybe dieting has gone a bit too far now."

Xu Pengcheng lowered his head: "I’ve done quite a few check-ups at the hospital in recent days, with doctors knowledgeable in nutrition and sports medicine talking to me, and they’ve specially made a diet plan for me..."

This nutrition plan is certainly not as precise as those made for professional athletes, not specifying exact grams of what to eat in the morning.

But it’s much better than Xu Pengcheng’s previous approach of heedlessly dieting.

Yet—

[Eyebrows knit together.]

[Corners of the eyes drooping.]

[Teeth clenching, throat swallowing.]

[Still resistant, with a subjective tendency towards anorexia when talking about the diet plan.]

[If not for the presence of a second contradiction, in fact, this would be the moment to directly begin feeding behavior training...]

[At present, the second contradiction even appears to be a core contradiction.]

Nan Zhubin sighed inwardly, putting on a concerned expression, and persisted.

"But it seems like you don’t really want to follow the doctors’ diet plan, is that right?"

"No, no." Xu Pengcheng quickly waved his hand, "The doctors’ plans are very professional, at least a lot more professional than what I had before. Following their plan, I’m sure I’ll recover quickly, it’s just..."

As Xu Pengcheng fell into silence, Nan Zhubin seized the opportunity to continue.

"But you still don’t want to comply. You feel like if you get better, there would be a kind of..." Nan Zhubin considered his words carefully, providing a "confirmatory feedback," "’guilt,’ is that right?"

Nan Zhubin’s straightforwardness left Xu Pengcheng a bit at a loss.

But this instead made Xu Pengcheng start making eye contact with Nan Zhubin, leaning slightly forward.

As thoughts in his heart were pointed out, a "high empathy" consultation relationship began to form.

This also allowed Nan Zhubin to more conveniently present Xu Pengcheng’s "contradictions," and address Xu Pengcheng’s "defense."

"Yes, teacher... as I mentioned to you before, I have been quite troublesome to everyone."

Nan Zhubin performed a "reflective listening": "I can sense that you are indeed very distressed and guilty. You seem to have taken the responsibility for everyone’s extra practice upon yourself."

Then he linked an "open-ended question": "Apart from having everyone practice extra because of your fitness problem, do you feel like you’ve done anything else to ’trouble’ people?"

Xu Pengcheng was startled, entering a state of contemplation.

Thoughts seemed to jam.

After a long time, he shook his head: "As for other things, not much else..."

This is a "defensive" statement, vague and unable to enumerate other troubles, indicating "none."

"But, I feel this alone is especially troublesome for everyone."

Nan Zhubin made a thoughtful expression, then asked: "You just mentioned that you know your Coach Wang recently had an incident, hence left, correct?"

Xu Pengcheng nodded: "Yes."

"Do you know what it was about?"

"Not very clear, no one told me in detail..."

"Partly because of an unreasonable training schedule." Nan Zhubin said, "She had you train extra, and had everyone accompany you for the extra training. When the education and health commission learned about this, they took severe measures."

"In other words, you feel that the extra practice troubled everyone, but in reality, it was your Coach Wang who troubled all the team members including you."

Nan Zhubin said, "At least, that’s what the leaders believe."

By presenting irrefutable facts, the "contradiction" is placed before Xu Pengcheng.

Silence.

Nan Zhubin estimated that the presentation of this "contradiction" may not be strong enough to immediately prompt change in Xu Pengcheng.

But it’s enough to let Xu Pengcheng continue to think more deeply.

...

Indeed, after lowering his head and pondering for a moment, Xu Pengcheng shook his head.

Nan Zhubin continued to provide "feedback."

"You seem to still be very distressed, still feeling that you’ve troubled everyone?"

Xu Pengcheng grabbed hold of his pants leg.

"Yes. Even though Coach Wang... in hindsight is indeed wrong. But even if her training plan has issues, everyone was able to execute it without a problem."

"Or you could say, it’s because of me that Coach Wang had the opportunity to execute this problematic plan, troubling everyone."

OK, this direction’s force isn’t enough, so let’s shift in direction and again present the contradiction.

"You still feel guilty, and this guilt makes you want to punish yourself; dieting is a part of your self-punishment."

A "reflective listening" that appropriately extends the content of the previous conversation.

Then link with an "open-ended question."

"Besides dieting, do you have any other ’self-punishing’ behaviors?"

"Or, is there something in your usual interactions that makes you feel less guilty?"

Xu Pengcheng gritted his teeth, seemingly enduring and battling something inside.

"When everyone... ’adds’ practice for me, sometimes the movements are quite intense, causing discomfort."

"But the more discomfort I feel physically, the more at ease I feel mentally."

...

Nan Zhubin recalled when he first saw Xu Pengcheng, other students wielding relay batons goading Xu Pengcheng forward like driving an animal.

This is a new direction.

"Being bullied" and "excessive dieting" in Xu Pengcheng’s mind achieve the same goal.

"Being bullied" is deemed rational in Xu Pengcheng’s cognition.

So now if "being bullied" is subverted in Xu Pengcheng’s rationale, the issue of "excessive dieting" can also be resolved.

Nan Zhubin organized his language.