Mentalizing and Existence: Recent Episodes
Daniel Price, MD
A podcast about Mentalizing, Attachment, Existentialism, and Psychotherapy. Harvard trained psychiatrist, and psychiatric educator Dr. Daniel Price discusses Mentalizing. This skill--the ability to be mindful of our mind and the minds of others--is the basis of thought, language, culture, society, and most importantly-- meaning. Mentalizing is literally the most important thing, or more precisely process. Period. However, while almost all humans can do it to some degree, it often falters when we need it most. Fortunately, it is a skill we can cultivate, and strengthen--and when we do we can more fully connect with ourselves, and thereby recognize and remain mindful of the meaning of our existence.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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/
This episode is the first 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 first episode we explore what mentalizing is, why it is important, the specifics of the mentalizing stance, and the mentalizing poles.
In this first episode, Dr. Daniel Price introduces the listener to THE MOST IMPORTANT THING in the universe--Mentalizing. Learn what mentalizing is (and isn't), and why it is so important to humanity. Learn what can lead to poor mentalizing in us and others.