New Books in Psychology Elliot Jurist et al., "Working with Parents in Therapy: A Mentalization-Based Approach" (APA, 2023)
Apr 11, 2025
Elliot Jurist, a distinguished Professor of Psychology and Philosophy at CUNY, shares insights from his latest work on a mentalization-based approach to therapy for parents. He delves into how understanding emotions and mental states can improve the therapist-parent dynamic, discussing cultural influences on emotional expression. Jurist also highlights the significance of mentalization in navigating complex family dynamics and the potential challenges posed by societal stigma surrounding mental health diagnoses. His philosophical perspective adds depth to the conversation on emotional regulation and personal growth.
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Mentalization Defined
- Mentalization is a complex concept encompassing understanding our own and others' minds.
- It's rooted in philosophy, psychology, and theory of mind, evolving from a cognitive to a developmental perspective.
Mentalization vs. Empathy
- Mentalization and empathy overlap, but aren't synonymous; psychopaths can mentalize to manipulate.
- Mentalization evolved to enhance cooperation, contrasting with the competitive mentalization observed in some animals.
Language and Mentalization
- Language plays a key role in psychotherapy, especially in understanding minds and emotions.
- However, mentalization, particularly mentalized affectivity, isn't solely verbal, especially when considering cultural variations in emotional expression.
