The Voice of CCNU On the morning of November 18, the 3rd "Study and Research Forum" Postgraduate Counselor Salon of the 2025 Autumn Semester, sponsored by the Department of Student Affairs of the University Party Committee and undertaken by the School of Psychology, was successfully held in Conference Room 8030 of the Nanhu Complex Building. Invited as the keynote speaker for this event was Associate Professor Yu Lixia, Deputy Director of the Mental Health Education Center of Central China Normal University, a certified psychologist, and a certified supervisor. She delivered a special presentation themed Identification and Intervention of Students' Psychological Issues in Supervisor - Postgraduate Conflicts. The event was hosted by Ding Yubin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Psychology, with full-time and part-time counselors from the school participating in the discussions.
Taking real cases as the starting point, Yu Lixia conducted an in-depth analysis of the typical manifestations and formation mechanisms of students' psychological crises triggered by supervisor-postgraduate conflicts. She pointed out that the occurrence of psychological crises often stems from an imbalance between "stressful events" and "individual coping capabilities". In the supervisor-postgraduate relationship, factors such as mentoring methods, differences in viewpoints, and personality conflicts may act as stressors. When students are unable to cope with these stressors through conventional means, they are prone to symptoms such as emotional breakdown and anxiety, and may even be at risk of suicide or harming others. Regarding effective identification and intervention, Yu Lixia proposed a dual-path intervention strategy of "stress reduction and coping enhancement": on the one hand, helping students reduce external pressure; on the other hand, strengthening their psychological coping capabilities. She particularly emphasized that in a state of crisis, priority should be given to addressing students' immediate safety and emotional stability, rather than hastily attempting to change their cognitive patterns or personality traits.
During the exchange session, counselors discussed practical challenges such as "how counselors can communicate effectively with supervisors" and "coordination of inter-professional supervisory and academic resources", drawing on typical cases encountered in their daily work. Associate Professor Yu Lixia, along with senior counselors present, shared their practical experience. They suggested focusing on specific issues rather than making personal evaluations during communication, and building a systematic support network to resolve complex conflicts.
In his summary, Ding Yubin stated that the supervisor-postgraduate relationship is a crucial link affecting the quality of postgraduate training. Counselors should continuously improve their professional capabilities in identifying and intervening in psychological crises, and while helping students relieve their emotions, they should proactively build a bridge for communication between teachers and students. He suggested further improving the mechanisms for mediating supervisor-postgraduate conflicts and collaboratively handling crises, so as to jointly create a healthy, inclusive and efficient education environment.
Translator: Ding Songbin
Date: Nov 28, 2025
