About this Research Topic
The overall theme serves as attempts towards understanding the evolution of the concept of mentalization, a predominantly human capacity that serves as a vessel and process to make sense of minds – our own and others’ - their contents and the continuity and stability of relationships in the context of intentional mental states. Research and enrichment of the topic are structured around evidence-based therapeutic outcomes, conceptualizations, and description of the development of two mentalizing processes– where and how it works, and what factors might interfere and make it difficult or impossible. The development of the theory of mentalization is illustrated by connecting it to different therapeutic approaches, schools of thought, and clinical empirical research.
Designed as semi-manualised treatment for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) has repeatedly shown that it is suitable for treating different nosologies in different age groups and in different contexts. The approach has its own conceptualizations and distinct dictionary that might be seen as an umbrella-language for many of the therapies currently used. With its roots in psychodynamic thinking, natural pedagogy, systemic approach, cognitive and behavioural therapies, MBT links many clinical symptoms to manifesting characteristics of attachment systems. As not many therapies make use of that subject, several questions arise:
• How to deconstruct different approaches?
• What are MBT’s building blocks?
• How can we compare different approaches on the basis of research results?
• How can we reconceptualize MBT different approaches to a uniform body of knowledge about mental health and clinical practice?
The Research Topic will cover contributions from fields connecting clinical, medical psychology, and mentalization as an integrative conceptual framework. We welcome papers related to the following themes:
• addictions and psychosomatic disorders;
• psychological assessment in clinical settings;
• computational and artificial intelligence approaches applied in clinical settings;
• developmental psychology.
Designed as semi-manualised treatment for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) has repeatedly shown that it is suitable for treating different nosologies in different age groups and in different contexts. The approach has its own conceptualizations and distinct dictionary that might be seen as an umbrella-language for many of the therapies currently used. With its roots in psychodynamic thinking, natural pedagogy, systemic approach, cognitive and behavioural therapies, MBT links many clinical symptoms to manifesting characteristics of attachment systems. As not many therapies make use of that subject, several questions arise:
• How to deconstruct different approaches?
• What are MBT’s building blocks?
• How can we compare different approaches on the basis of research results?
• How can we reconceptualize MBT different approaches to a uniform body of knowledge about mental health and clinical practice?
The Research Topic will cover contributions from fields connecting clinical, medical psychology, and mentalization as an integrative conceptual framework. We welcome papers related to the following themes:
• addictions and psychosomatic disorders;
• psychological assessment in clinical settings;
• computational and artificial intelligence approaches applied in clinical settings;
• developmental psychology.
Keywords: mentalization, clinical evaluation, therapy, psychopathology, computational approaches
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
