In Season 1 we defined and explored the basics of Mentalizing. In Season 2 we  gave a more detailed overview of Mentalization Based Treatment.  In this first episode of Season 3 we explore the second focus of our Podcast--Existentialism.  Like Mentalizing, Existentialism is hard to define--impossible perhaps. Here we attempt to show why definition of this field of thought is so elusive, and offer a suggestion focused on the issues that all humans grapple with.

This episode is the eighth  in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this eighth MBTi episode we begin a description of MBT treatment--what you can expect and what will be expected of you.

This episode is the seventh in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this seventh MBTi episode we discuss what psychiatrists mean by a personality disorder, the characteristics of each, and take a close look at Borderline Personality Disorder.

This episode is the sixth in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this sixth MBTi episode we expand on the notion of Attachment we introduced in Episode 5, and how it relates to Mentalizing.   It turns out they are closely linked phenomenon: secure attachment  in a child assists in their development of robust mentalizing while good mentalizing on the part of a caregiver is a great predictor of secure attachment in a child.  Thus we can see good mentalizing and secure attachment as creating a positive intergenerational cycle.  On the other hand, a poor mentalizing culture in a family can lead to insecure attachment for children with consequences for their mentalizing ability as they grow.  

This episode is the fifth in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this fifth MBTi episode we introduce the concept of attachment and attachment theory.  Attachment itself is somewhat difficult to define, but can be thought of as "a positive emotional connection to another individual. "Attachment is essential not only for the survival of our species, but all mammals and many bird species.  Thus, human's all utilize attachment--though different attachment styles have been identified which have implications for how relate not only to our parents, but to our other close relationships in adulthood.

As we discussed in Episode 1, Mentalizing is paradoxically a skill that essentially all humans utilize every day, and a the same time is difficult to define, and is difficult to consistently do well.  In this episode we attempt to provide further tools to understand mentalizing, and how to assess whether we are others are doing it well, or poorly--and if poorly, where we are getting stuck.  The Mentalizing Stance names the attitude we want to continuously be in to mentalize well: 1) Be Curious 2) Be "Not-Knowing" 3) Be generous in our first interpretations of ourselves and others.  If we are doing these things, we are mentalizing well. If we aren't in this attitude, we want to recognize that, and get back to the attitude as soon as we can.

The Mentalizing Poles offer another way to assess our mentalizing.  Good Mentalizing consists of maintaining the mentalizing stance and moving flexibly across each of the spectra that the Poles define.   Many of us tend to get stuck, when mentalizing, toward one end (pole) of these spectra, and have trouble being curious and not-knowing about the other end.  Recognizing and correcting this can help us become better mentalizers.

For a graphic showing a version of the poles visit:
https://groupanalyticsociety.co.uk/contexts/issue-88/articles/setting-up-and-running-explicit-mentalizing-groups-101-simple-guidance-and-clinical-considerations/

In Episode 1 and 2 we made the case that Mentalizing is the way we, as humans, make sense of our world--especially making sense of our behaviors and the behaviors of others.  To do so optimally we need to maintain the Mentalizing Stance by being Curious, "Not-Knowing" and generous in our first interpretation of behaviors.  In this episode, we use the example of the infamous Slap of Chris Rock by Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards, and its aftermath as an example of bad and good mentalizing. 

This episode is the fourth in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this fourth MBTi episode, we explore how we recognize emotions in others, and register them in ourselves.  It isn't always as straightforward as it seems, and believing it is can lead to misunderstandings as we mentalize about ourselves and others. 

This episode is the third in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this episode we explore emotions--including the 7 basic or primary emotions--and why they are important for human existence. 

This episode is the second in a series of 12 episodes  (Season 2) Introducing Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).  Based on the Chapter 11 of the first edition  of Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy's Mentalizing Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide, these podcasts recreate the 12 session introductory, interactive group that serves as the preparatory process for entering formal MBT treatment.   All listeners to "M & E "are welcome to listen to all of these episodes, but they are designed for listeners who are about to begin MBT and may be more technical than most "M & E" listeners may prefer.

In this episode, we explore pitfalls that can make mentalizing difficult, how to recognize poor mentalizing and what the consequences of this can be. Specifically we recognize that emotion can be a great enemy of mentalizing, and that poor mentalizing can in turn lead to poor emotional control.