Capítulo 676: Chapter 604: This Too Is a Kind of Responsibility

[Projection] is a concept first proposed by the Psychoanalytic School, now widely used in the field of Psychological Consultation.

It manifests in various forms.

The common [Transference] in counseling is a special kind of [Projection].

The popular online phenomenon known as “void quotation” is also a form of [Projection].

The phrase from a certain romance contest, “because you wear yellow glasses, you see everything as yellow,” remains a kind of projection.

Overall, [Projection] often carries a negative connotation in most circumstances.

Directly pointing out someone’s [Projection] is an expression containing aggression.

Fortunately, Team Leader Li had already been prepared with a substantial amount of time by Nan Zhubin to construct a relatively basic counseling relationship.

At the same time, he had been led into a state of self-exploration.

…

Upon hearing Nan Zhubin’s assessment.

Team Leader Li raised his head, with no anger or defense in his eyes.

When Nan Zhubin just mentioned the word “sense of losing control”, he displayed a certain helplessness, like a Saiyan grabbed by the tail.

“Pro…jection?” Team Leader Li repeated this somewhat unfamiliar term to him, like seeing flowers through the mist, confused, yet with a hint of curiosity.

He gradually furrowed his brow: “You mean I’m…wrongfully accusing them, I’m shirking my own…responsibility?”

Nan Zhubin immediately helped Team Leader Li clarify: “No, that’s not what I mean.”

His tone was very calm, carrying an explanatory rather than accusatory meaning: “It’s a psychological process, a kind of ’emergency program’ that our brain automatically initiates under extreme stress to protect ourselves.”

Nan Zhubin used a neutral and easy-to-understand analogy to further reduce the sense of attack.

This was to prevent the visitor from feeling accused, promoting understanding and acceptance.

Nan Zhubin slightly leaned forward, explaining in a more vivid way: “For example — our mind has a container to hold our various emotions. When a disaster occurs, this container is instantly filled with a massive amount of emotions we cannot bear — ”

“Such as, the anxiety of watching people suffer without being able to resolve it immediately; the insignificance felt under the grandeur of natural disasters; and…the guilt from feeling one hasn’t done well enough or fast enough.”

Three examples.

With each example he cited, Nan Zhubin carefully observed Team Leader Li’s reaction.

He saw Team Leader Li press his lips tighter, his fingers unconsciously curling up.

“These emotions, especially the guilt and helplessness, are so heavy, they can almost crush a person,” Nan Zhubin’s voice was low and filled with empathy, “And at this time, our psychological defense system comes into play.”

“It’s like a protective filter that unconsciously ‘projects’ these unbearable, painful emotions onto an external person or thing. Because facing an external ‘villain’ is far easier to bear than acknowledging one’s heart is filled with helplessness and guilt.”

Seemingly explaining the mechanism of [Projection].

But with Team Leader Li’s ability, how could he not hear the implication in Nan Zhubin’s words?

He fell silent for a moment.

After a while, he finally said with difficulty: “So…the ‘them’ I found, are actually what I…cannot handle?”

…

Regarding Team Leader Li’s question.

“That’s one way to understand it,” Nan Zhubin affirmed.

Before Team Leader Li could respond, Nan Zhubin promptly offered further Support: “But it’s not your fault, Team Leader Li. This precisely shows that your inner sense of responsibility is so strong that you don’t allow yourself to feel powerless.”

“Facing the natural disaster with no way out, your brain ‘created’ a target for you to fight and be angry with, to help you endure and not be overwhelmed by these emotions.”

Nan Zhubin looked into Team Leader Li’s eyes: “This ‘imaginary enemy’ is another manifestation of your high sense of responsibility — even though it causes you great pain.”

Explaining Team Leader Li’s [Projection] as a “painful manifestation of high responsibility,” rather than “shifting blame” or a “character flaw.”

This series of subsequent explanations took effect.

Certain emotions in Team Leader Li hadn’t had time to surface before they vanished.

“I…” Team Leader Li’s throat moved, wanting to say something.

Nan Zhubin focused on Team Leader Li’s face.

At this moment, the reaction of the other party was very important.

If the other person accepted his explanation, then the intervention could officially enter the healing phase and begin to have a positive impact.

If, however, the other person became defensive or agitated as before…

Then Nan Zhubin would have to consider temporarily ending today’s intervention, and just retain the “Psychological Assessment” gains.

Fortunately.

Team Leader Li let out a long sigh.

Remained silent.

[Silence]

No reaction — that’s the strongest reaction!

Nan Zhubin felt relieved, continuing his effort. He gently asked: “If it’s convenient, could you tell me if there was a particular moment in the disaster relief process that made you feel…that sense of helplessness, where no matter how hard you tried, it seemed like you couldn’t change the outcome?”

This question seemed to trigger a switch.

Team Leader Li took a deep breath, expanding his body slightly.

His gaze was no longer on Nan Zhubin, but instead on the space in front of him; as if some invisible image was coalescing in that tiny space.

“…Tsk.” Team Leader Li picked up a nearby bottle of mineral water, taking a big sip, “Remember what I told you earlier, about the waterproof cloth that was delayed by three days?”