An author and psychologist was invited to give a lecture on psychotherapy after natural disasters in Jiangsu, attended by more than ten people, including some who are hearing impaired.
In the Nanjing Vineyard Bookstore in the Gulou district on November 13, before the lecture, Shirley Feng, a clinical psychotherapist and professor, first asked the deaf believers whether their hearing loss was congenital or acquired. She said, "Generally speaking, the acquired disabilities cause more personal psychological trauma. Despite the hearing impairment and social isolation, the deaf believers’ spirits still can connect with God, so we can gather here to share our feelings."
Afterward, Feng talked about the original intention of her book Psychologist Notes - An Analysis and Reflection on Psychological Crisis Intervention Cases in Earthquakes in Wenchuan of Sichuan and Yushu of Qinghai. She said in recent years, some places in China encountered many major natural disasters, including earthquakes in Wenchuan of Sichuan in 2008, Yushu of Qinghai in 2010, Ya'an of Sichuan in 2013, and Ludian of Yunnan in 2014. While these natural catastrophes had caused significant economic losses to local areas, they had also dealt an indelible and heavy blow to the bodies and minds of the people, she continued. In addition to the people affected by the disasters, many front-line aid workers were also impacted in the long-term miserable environment and suffered psychological problems, resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, there is currently no domestic research on psychological trauma treatment after natural disasters, so Feng co-edited this book with her friends Holly Du and Sarah Hung in order to make up for the vacancy.
Feng concluded that to help the people suffering sudden death of relatives caused by natural hazards, they could guide them to express their feelings positively in an atmosphere of sincerity, acceptance, tolerance, respect, and support, and help them reconnect with real life at the same time.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
