We are aware that the mind dominates much of our actions. If we stop to analyze this point in detail, many examples will come to mind: How many times has a person responded with anger to an injustice? How does someone who is going through a grieving process think? Under what circumstances does human beings plan future projects when they have achieved important objectives? In order to resolve these questions, psychology has investigated these mechanisms that human beings possess over time.
There is a type of approach that allows us to understand the person in depth. In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about whatWhat is mentalization therapy and how to develop it.
Index
- What is mentalization
- Mentalization and attachment theory
- Objectives of mentalization therapy
- In what areas is mentalization therapy applied?
- Therapy strategies based on mentalization
What is mentalization?
First of all, we must start by understanding what mentalization is. According to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy, mentalizing consists of
However, it is important to keep in mind that there are two different meanings of the word depending on the use given to it. Psychoanalysis has also focused on the study of mentalization in order to find practical meaning for it. From this theoretical current, mentalization corresponds to the possibility of interpreting and understanding one's own and/or others' behavior.
Mentalization and attachment theory.
Mentalization is not only related to the interpretation of one's own or other people's behaviors, but also covers other areas of relevance. One of the main aspects that condition mentalization is the contribution that comes from attachment theory, which postulates that People can understand the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of others and their own by consolidating ties insurance.
In other words, the secure attachment, formed through strong emotional ties during a person's upbringing will facilitate mentalization. In this way, having established a type of secure relationship with other people will increase the likelihood that the individual will develop self-control of their emotions and behaviors.
Objectives of mentalization therapy.
Just as it happens in other theoretical frameworks, mentalization therapy delimits clear and concrete goals that can be met in a certain period of time. In relation to this, it should be noted that these will depend on the characteristics of each particular patient.
Below we show you the main objectives of mentalization therapy:
- Favor the self control.
- Greater emotional regulation.
- Improvement of communication skills with other people.
- Visualization of achievable goals.
- Detection of external and own problems.
In what areas is mentalization therapy applied.
It is important to note that mentalization therapy is quite recent and cannot be implemented on anyone. For this reason, the particular case must be studied carefully and carefully in order not to generate false expectations when carrying out treatment.
The areas in which mentalization therapy is applied are:
- Prevention of violence in schools.
- Couples treatment.
- Group therapeutic approach.
- Professionals from different disciplines.
- Brief family therapy.
- Borderline personality disorder.
- Serious pathologies such as autism and schizophrenia.
- Neurologically based diseases.
Despite the research that was carried out, it is important to mention that these areas could expand with the passage of time, because the real scope of the therapy of mentalization.
Therapy strategies based on mentalization.
Given the increase in certain pathologies that occur over time, it has become necessary to implement specific intervention methodologies. For this reason, below we show you some mentalization-based therapy strategies:
- Demonstration of empathy to understand the person's suffering.
- Avoid giving meaning to the patient's story so that she can develop her problem.
- Construction of the reason for consultation to work together with the patient.
- Active listening through questions in relation to the person's life.
However, these principles are general and each therapist will maintain a certain position according to their own style and the qualities of the patient who has attended a professional consultation.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is mentalization therapy and how to develop it, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
Bibliography
- Bateman, A., Fonagy, P. (2013). Treatment based on mentalization. Psychoanalytic Aperturas Magazine, 59 (8), 1-22.
- Sánchez Quintero, S., De La Vega, I. (2013). Introduction to mentalization-based treatment for borderline personality disorder. Psychological Action Magazine, 10 (1), 21-31.
