Abstract
Mentalization defines the capacity to attribute mental states such as desires and beliefs to others and to understand that these can differ from our own. Such a capacity can be compromised in several psychiatric conditions and is the main target of many types of psychotherapy. Here we propose a theoretic model in which mentalization is achieved through a process we have termed “alphabetization” of the emotions. In this model, the patient–analyst relationship is observed within the analytic field so that all the communications of the patient and/or the analyst can be considered as “dreams” narrating the emotional “climate” of the field itself. Both the analyst and the patient contribute to the generation of the “climate,” and the analyst’s role is to promote the patient’s capacity to convert the unknown sensations into “dreams” or stories so as to make the emotional experience symbolized and meaningful.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-84 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | International Forum of Psychoanalysis |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 3 2017 |
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Keywords
- alphabetization
- analytic field
- creativity
- mentalization
- waking dream thought
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Mentalization as alphabetization of the emotions : Oscillation between the opening and closing of possible worlds. / Blasi, Valeria; Zanette, Michela; Ferro, Antonino.
In: International Forum of Psychoanalysis, Vol. 26, No. 2, 03.04.2017, p. 75-84.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Mentalization as alphabetization of the emotions
T2 - Oscillation between the opening and closing of possible worlds
AU - Blasi, Valeria
AU - Zanette, Michela
AU - Ferro, Antonino
PY - 2017/4/3
Y1 - 2017/4/3
N2 - Mentalization defines the capacity to attribute mental states such as desires and beliefs to others and to understand that these can differ from our own. Such a capacity can be compromised in several psychiatric conditions and is the main target of many types of psychotherapy. Here we propose a theoretic model in which mentalization is achieved through a process we have termed “alphabetization” of the emotions. In this model, the patient–analyst relationship is observed within the analytic field so that all the communications of the patient and/or the analyst can be considered as “dreams” narrating the emotional “climate” of the field itself. Both the analyst and the patient contribute to the generation of the “climate,” and the analyst’s role is to promote the patient’s capacity to convert the unknown sensations into “dreams” or stories so as to make the emotional experience symbolized and meaningful.
AB - Mentalization defines the capacity to attribute mental states such as desires and beliefs to others and to understand that these can differ from our own. Such a capacity can be compromised in several psychiatric conditions and is the main target of many types of psychotherapy. Here we propose a theoretic model in which mentalization is achieved through a process we have termed “alphabetization” of the emotions. In this model, the patient–analyst relationship is observed within the analytic field so that all the communications of the patient and/or the analyst can be considered as “dreams” narrating the emotional “climate” of the field itself. Both the analyst and the patient contribute to the generation of the “climate,” and the analyst’s role is to promote the patient’s capacity to convert the unknown sensations into “dreams” or stories so as to make the emotional experience symbolized and meaningful.
KW - alphabetization
KW - analytic field
KW - creativity
KW - mentalization
KW - waking dream thought
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84996598622&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0803706X.2016.1245440
DO - 10.1080/0803706X.2016.1245440
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84996598622
VL - 26
SP - 75
EP - 84
JO - International Forum of Psychoanalysis
JF - International Forum of Psychoanalysis
SN - 0803-706X
IS - 2
ER -