The role of mentalizing and epistemic trust in the therapeutic relationship.
Mentalizing--the capacity to understand others' and one's own behavior in terms of mental states-is a defining human social and psychological achievement. It involves a complex and demanding spectrum of capacities that are susceptible to different strengths, weakness, and failings; personality disorders are often associated with severe and consistent mentalizing difficulties (Fonagy & Bateman, 2008). In this article, we will argue for the role of mentalizing in the therapeutic relationship, suggesting that although mentalization-based treatment may be a specific and particular form of practice, the "mentalizing therapist" is a universal constituent of effective psychotherapeutic interventions.
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London.
Peter
P
Fonagy
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London.
Elizabeth
E
Allison
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009769:Object Attachment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology*