Mentalization
Published in Training for Organisations on July 16th 2018
We use a technique called Mentalization to help couples who face a range of challenges and difficulties. These include parents locked in entrenched conflict about their children, and couples/parents who are involved in domestic violence/couple conflict (also known as situational couple violence).
Our way of working is inspired by the original work of Professors Peter Fonagy and Anthony Bateman on mentalization, which they initially developed as a way of helping individuals.
Our mentalization approach helps couples/parents to:
- focus on, and think about, not only the feelings and emotions they are experiencing, but those of their children too, learning to modify their behaviour
appreciate that their partner's thoughts and feelings may be different to their own, and that their partner may have a different perspective than they do
be curious about possible differences between themselves and their partner, and especially about the reasons why people may behave as they do.
For more details of our approaches, see:
Our Mentalization programmes
Parents in Dispute (mentalization-based therapy)
This programme worked with separated parents who were in entrenched conflict, for whom repeated court intervention had been unsuccessful in resolving conflict or improving their capacity to co-parent effectively.
Mentalization for Couple Conflict and Domestic Violence
We offer specialist training to local authorities and organisations who work with couples and who wish to develop their capacity to think relationally about couple conflict, intimate partner violence and abuse.
Our recent work in Harrow, called Parenting Under Pressure - Tavistock Relationships & Harrow Children’s Services report can be downloaded here:
© 2023 Tavistock Relationships. All Rights Reserved.
10 New Street, London, UK, EC2M 4TP - Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology.
Company number: 241618.
© 2023 Tavistock Relationships. All Rights Reserved.
10 New Street, London EC2M 4TP
Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology. Company number: 241618.