Mentalization can be a useful way to think about theory of mind or social perspective-taking.

Mentalization is the ability to understand others’ behaviors by considering mental states and intentions.

Mentalization is also the ability to consider the impact of one’s own emotions and behaviors on others.

Goals can include mentalizing well and deliberately when in interpersonal conflict.

I recently came across a new (at least to me) term for social perspective-taking or theory of mind: mentalization. Midgley et al. (2017) use this terminology while working and writing in the Netherlands, focusing on children and adolescents with attachment, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorders.

It seems to me that their mentalization terminology and their descriptions of what this is might be very useful to neurodivergent children, adults, and their families here in the United States. I think their way of thinking can lead to clear and specific, thus more attainable, therapeutic, interpersonal, and personal growth goals for autistic people or people diagnosed with autism.

Defining Mentalization and Mentalizing Well

Midgely et al. (2017) define mentalization as the:

“Ability to interpret the meaning of others’ behavior by considering their underlying mental states and intentions” (p. 15)

“Capacity to understand the impact of one’s own affects and behaviors on others” (p. 15)

“In simpler language, mentalizing is about understanding oneself and others on the basis of what’s going on inside us; it involves keeping mind in mind and seeing oneself from the outside and others from the inside.” (p. 15)

“In simpler language, mentalizing is about understanding oneself and others on the basis of what’s going on inside us; it involves keeping mind in mind and seeing oneself from the outside and others from the inside.” (p. 15)

Midgley et al. write that “when we are mentalizing well,” we are somewhat or mostly able to:

Be aware of our feelings in the present, and our........

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