The role of mentalizing and epistemic trust in the therapeutic relationship.

2014/01/01 by Peter Fonagy, Elizabeth Allison · 4 citations
Psychology · #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Personality Disorders and Psychopathology #Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

paper · doi:10.1037/a0036505

openalex publication_date 2014/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

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.

Citations

• Learning From Experience
• Mechanisms of change in mentalization‐based treatment of BPD
• The genetical evolution of social behaviour. I

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