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The construct of mentalization, the capacity to be curious about and reflect upon ourselves and others, is designed to be transtheoretical and applicable to all psychotherapeutic orientations. Nonetheless, it is especially relevant for psychodynamic therapists, as mentalization derives from psychoanalysis, even though it departs from its origins in some respects. There have not been many recent significant efforts to make sense of the relation between mentalization and psychoanalytic theories and practices. Sugarman (2006) proposed the notion of in-sightfulness as a way to mediate between psychoanalysis and mentalization. Fonagy and Campbell (2017) pointed to epistemic trust as supporting the approaches of psychoanalysis and mentalization theory, noting that psychoanalytic ideas about the importance of the relationship have prevailed, especially through attachment theory, with the addition of a social dimension. Fonagy and Campbell recognized continuing tension between psychoanalysis and mentalization theory in conceiving of insight as a matter of content or process (more on this later). We are fortunate, therefore, to have the new contribution of Josef Brockmann, Holger Kirsch, and Svenja Taubner in Mentalizing in Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Basics, Applications, Case Studies, which straightforwardly probes both the similarities and differences between the two.
This volume also happens to provide a helpful overview of mentalization-based therapy (MBT), the evidence-based treatment approach combining both individual and group work originally created to treat severe personality disorders but now expanded to a wider range of psychopathologies (depression, trauma, addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders, antisocial personality, and even psychosis). MBT has proven successful in reducing depressive symptoms, lessening suicide attempts, reducing hospital stays, improving social functioning, and notably showing continued improvement 18 months posttrea