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.

01:01:50

Episode guests

Elliot Jurist

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Quick takeaways

Mentalization, understood as the ability to interpret mental states, is essential for effective communication and fostering empathy in relationships.

Cultural differences significantly impact mentalization practices, necessitating clinicians to be culturally aware to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Deep dives

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A major focus of the episode is the shift away from traditional work platforms that have become burdensome due to issues like endless onboarding processes and IT bottlenecks. The discussion highlights the emergence of more efficient alternatives, specifically mentioning Monday.com as a user-friendly platform. This shift emphasizes the need for tools that are not only functional but also enhance user experience through features like customizable workflows and visually appealing dashboards. Such transitions reflect a broader trend in workplaces toward solutions that prioritize employee satisfaction and productivity.

Intro

2min

Exploring Mentalization in Therapy

13min

Cultural Influences on Mentalization

5min

Navigating Therapist-Parent Dynamics

12min

Navigating Parenting Through Therapy

6min

Exploring Mentalization in Therapy

11min

Navigating Mental Health: Diagnosis, Stigma, and Personal Growth

3min

The Power of Mentalization in Communication

7min

Working with Parents in Therapy: A Mentalization-Based Approach, by Norka Malberg, Elliot Jurist, Jordan Bate, and Mark Dangerfield (American Psychological Association, 2023) presents parenthood as a developmental process that can be supported by a mentalization-based model of intervention. The authors first provide an overview of mentalization (i.e., making sense of the mental lives of ourselves and others) and its related concepts, as well as guidance on assessment, formulation, treatment, and supervision from a mentalization framework. They then review challenges and opportunities for parents across development, with rich case examples and vignettes for each developmental phase.

Dr. Jurist, who has doctorates in both philosophy and clinical psychology, brings a philosophical lens to our discussion of this book. We talk about mentalization and its development, as well as its role in culture, psychological health, and parenting.

About the Guest:

Elliot Jurist, Ph.D., Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Philosophy at the Graduate Center and The City College of New York, CUNY. From 2004-2013, he served as the Director of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at CUNY. From 2008-2018, he was the Editor of Psychoanalytic Psychology, the journal of Division 39 of the APA. He is also the editor of a book series, Psychoanalysis and Psychological Science, from Guilford Publications, and author of a book in the series, Minding Emotions: Cultivating Mentalization in Psychotherapy, from the same publisher (the book has been translated into Italian, Chinese and Spanish, and was named best theoretical book in 2019 by the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis). He is the author of Beyond Hegel and Nietzsche: Philosophy, Culture and Agency (MIT Press, 2000) and co-author with Peter Fonagy, George Gergely, and Mary Target of Affect Regulation, Mentalization and the Development of the Self (Other Press, 2002), the latter of which has been translated into five languages and won two book prizes. He is also the co-editor of Mind to Mind: Infant Research, Neuroscience, and Psychoanalysis (Other Press, 2008). His research interests concern mentalization and the role of emotions and emotion regulation in psychotherapy. In 2014, he received the Scholarship Award from Division 39 of the APA, and in 2024, he was given the Leadership award from the same organization. He also writes a Substack newsletter Mental(izing) Health, in which he elaborates on the relevance of mentalization in art, government, culture, philosophy, and other wide-ranging topics, as well as in the mental health world. He is currently writing a book titled When Therapy Met Memoir, which is about references to therapy in contemporary memoirs. Along with his wife and two children, he lives with two ancient, insubordinate dachshunds, one of whom smiles.

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