New Books Network

Elliot Jurist et al., "Working with Parents in Therapy: A Mentalization-Based Approach" (APA, 2023)

Apr 11, 2025

Elliot Jurist, a Professor of Psychology and Philosophy, joins to explore the intersection of mentalization and parenting. He discusses how mentalization, or understanding our own and others' mental states, shapes therapeutic approaches. The conversation delves into cultural differences in self-understanding, the dynamics of parent-infant communication, and the therapeutic role in supporting emotional growth. Jurist also addresses the complexities of self-diagnosis and the evolving stigma surrounding mental health in today's society.

01:01:50

Episode guests

Elliot Jurist

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Quick takeaways

Mentalization is essential for understanding social interactions and is developed through relational experiences with caregivers during parenting.

Cultural differences significantly influence mentalization practices, necessitating therapists to adapt their approaches to effectively connect with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Deep dives

The Importance of Mentalization

Mentalization is a crucial concept in understanding how individuals interpret and make sense of their own and others' thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. It serves as a developmental milestone that enables effective social interaction and cooperation among people. The podcast discusses how mentalization is not innately present from birth, but rather develops through relational experiences, emphasizing the role of caregivers in facilitating this process. This nuanced understanding of mentalization illustrates its impact on personal development and interpersonal relationships, thereby enriching therapeutic practices.

Intro

3min

Exploring Mentalization in Therapy

12min

Cultural Influences on Mentalization Practices

3min

Ostensive Cues: Navigating Parent-Infant Dynamics

14min

Navigating Parenting Through Emotional Growth

6min

Navigating the Complexities of Mentalization

11min

Navigating Self-Diagnosis and Stigma in Mental Health

3min

Mentalizing in a Divided World

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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