y assumptions or formulations or by explaining clients to themselves. It’s a here-and-now, process-oriented approach. The therapist encourages the client to think about his or her experience, the goal being to learn to “think about feeling, and feel about thinking.” The therapist guides the client to step back and take perspective on their experience together in therapy: “Yes, that’s one possible meaning; what are others?” “How do you imagine it looks from my point of view?” He or she listens to the client’s narrative and seeks to explore the aspects that are being neglected.
In my own practice, a focus on mentalization has deepened my understanding of the balance between affect and cognition and the need to integrate these aspects of experience. Of course, we all know, theoretically, that the therapeutic connection is at the heart of all good therapy, but understanding the moment-to-moment processes of mentalization can deepen a therapist’s understanding of just how shifts in the relationship can lead to lasting therapeutic change.
This blog is excerpted from "Mentalization: Something New or Just Old Wine in New Bottles?" by Steven Krugman. The full version is available in the March/April 2013 issue, Clinical Wisdom: Who Needs It?
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Tags: addiction | body language | borderline | borderline personality disorder | Dan Siegel | eating disorders | emotion | emotional brain | emotional connection | emotional learnings | feelings | Mentalization | Mindfulness | Steven Krugman | Trauma