09/03/2026
What is Mentalization? ⬇
Mentalization is the capacity to understand our own behavior and that of others in terms of mental states, such as thoughts, emotions, desires, intentions, and beliefs. It is the process through which we make sense of our internal experience and our relationships.
The concept was clinically developed by Peter Fonagy and colleagues, integrating contributions from Attachment Theory, Theory of Mind research, and findings in neuroscience. From this framework, Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) was created, initially for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Mentalization can operate implicitly (automatically and intuitively) or explicitly (reflectively and consciously). We are constantly interpreting gestures, contexts, and past experiences to understand what might be happening in another person’s mind, even though these interpretations are not always accurate.
Its development is closely linked to early attachment relationships. Through secure early bonds, we learn to recognize emotions, regulate ourselves, and build a more complex understanding of ourselves and others.
In psychotherapy, strengthening the capacity to mentalize is essential, as it expands understanding and increases relational flexibility. In this sense, Art Therapy offers a particularly valuable space to explore and symbolize inner experience, supporting this process.
