Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!

Today's counseling session is just about over.

Actually, today's "integration" process using the [empty chair technique] was relatively incomplete.

In the most ideal scenario, after the visitor has separated the [ideal self] from the [real self] and refuted the unreasonable aspects of the [ideal self] from the standpoint of the [real self], they should find a bond between the [ideal self] and the [real self].

Finally, through a ritual-like act similar to a "handshake," integrate the [ideal self] and the [real self] into a complete "self."

However, as it was the first implementation of the [empty chair technique] today, the [ideal self] of the visitor had too many unreasonable cognitions, and identifying them one by one took up too much time.

Just as the [grounding technique] needs to progress from the [5-4-3-2-1 technique], which involves aimlessly seeking sensory stimuli from the environment, to eventually stabilizing oneself through a fixed object.

[Empty chair technique] also undergoes a gradual upgrading process.

Slow and steady practice is fine.

As a matter of fact, though it might seem that the visitor has gained considerable growth, this growth is very context-dependent.

Once the visitor leaves the counseling room and returns to their own environment, exactly how much of today's counseling effects can be retained is uncertain.

...

Nan Zhubin thought for a moment and then said to the visitor, "Our counseling for today ends here. However, before the next session begins, I have a homework assignment for you."

Homework has always been a staple, and the visitor used to complete it diligently every time. Hearing Nan Zhubin say this, the visitor immediately shook off the melancholy of the session ending and focused on listening to Nan Zhubin's instructions.

"Today, we've refuted the unreasonable aspects of your former [ideal self] from the standpoint of the [real self]."

Nan Zhubin used a third-person pronoun, further externalizing and completely detaching the former erroneous cognitions from the visitor.

"Now, I need you to consider what your true, reasonable [ideal self] looks like and then construct it."

"But when constructing this [ideal self], I have one requirement—" Nan Zhubin made an important addition, "—base it on 'current' events. Whether past or future, they only hold meaning when they impact the 'present.'

Nan Zhubin smiled, "By the next counseling session, I hope to see your new [ideal self]."

This way, the visitor can often recall the content of this session outside the counseling room and continue intense reflection, retaining as much of the session's benefits as possible.

It can also expedite the counseling process.

The visitor nodded, silently noting it, and then verbally repeated it once more.

After confirming there was no mistake, he seemed to suddenly remember something, "Teacher, didn't we mention three things at the beginning? It seems like we mainly discussed the latter two things in the counseling?"

Strictly speaking, only the second thing "being specially treated by the teacher when volunteering" was discussed in depth, with extensions; the third thing, "emotionally breaking down after a conversation with the mother," was merely touched upon.

The first matter was barely mentioned.

But the visitor still remembered, "Teacher, about that lawyer coming to find me... do you have any advice?"

Nan Zhubin pondered briefly.

If he was hesitant about the visitor's state before, today's session made him certain—the visitor is ready to handle this scenario.

If the visitor could face the con artist in court and secure a victory, such a milestone in the real environment could greatly propel the healing process.

Skipping directly to the second phase wouldn't be impossible.

But after some thought, Nan Zhubin still said, "I can't give you an answer."

He gave no reply, nor did he express it tactfully; his words were quite direct.

"It's your life, and you need to make your own decisions."

...

After hearing Nan Zhubin's words, Nan Zhihao could not quite say if he was disappointed.

But inexplicably, he seemed to feel something in his heart had solidified.

At the same time, accompanied by this solid base, a hint of strength seemed to emerge bit by bit.

Although not abundant, although subtle, though whenever Nan Zhihao focused to feel it, this strength seemed to scatter immediately.

But he was sure that the new strength existed.

With a click, he opened the door and walked out of the counseling room, feeling somewhat changed since entering.

But he didn't think too deeply, even considering it natural, as he felt this way after every session.

He strode past the reception desk, nodding politely as a matter of habit in response to the striking receptionist's greeting.

Then he heard the more mature-looking receptionist on the left suddenly remind him, "Please check your personal items, don't leave anything in the counseling room."

Left something? It shouldn't be, right?

Nan Zhihao instinctively patted his pockets and ran his hands upwards. When he touched his face and the top of his head, he suddenly froze.

No mask, no hat.

Without much hesitation, he turned around and went back to the counselor-less room to retrieve his gear.

But while grabbing them, Nan Zhihao instinctively hesitated.

"It really is too hot today..."

He murmured to himself, then folded the mask and baseball cap, stuffing them into his pockets.

As compensation, he zipped his sun-protection jacket all the way up, hiding his chin inside.

Passing through the main door, the mature receptionist acted as if nothing had happened, "Please take your belongings with you, take care~"

After hesitating, Nan Zhihao nodded toward her as a response.

Once he stepped through the automatic door, he vaguely heard a young and a comparatively mature crisp voice having a conversation behind him.

"First time seeing this visitor's face~"

"Yeah, although he's a bit less handsome than Teacher Nan, he's still quite good-looking~"

Nan Zhihao used the thumb and forefinger of his hand to trace the path from "cheek, corner of the mouth, chin," executing a straight motion, and again for a second, third time.

Finally, he slightly pulled down the collar of his sun-protection jacket. Today was indeed a bit too hot.

Walking out of the office building, Nan Zhihao seemed somewhat unaccustomed to the environment, maintaining a posture of looking 45 degrees downward the whole way, gritting his teeth all the way back to the school dormitory.

Then he tossed aside the mask and baseball cap, thought for a moment, and fetched a notebook from the bookshelf.

Began pondering the homework assigned by Teacher Nan.