Mentalization as alphabetization of the emotions: Oscillation between the opening and closing of possible worlds

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.

Key words:

• mentalization
• alphabetization
• analytic field
• waking dream thought
• creativity

Notes

1 The present – the box with its contents – can be considered to comprise characters of the analytic field, and the thoughts and dreams of the analyst represent the beginning of the process for the alphabetization of petrified emotions (beta-elements).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Italian Ministry of Health [Ricerca Corrente 2016].

Notes on contributors

Valeria Blasi

Authors

Valeria Blasi is a neurologist and psychotherapist. She works as a researcher at the Don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, studying the interaction between cerebral and mental development during childhood. She also works as psychotherapist with a psychoanalytic approach with children and adolescents.

Michela Zanette

Michela Zanette is a child neuropsychiatrist and psychotherapist working at the Don C. Gnocchi Foundation, Milan. She works with children with learning and developmental disorders, treating them with multidimensional rehabilitation programs and with psychotherapy with a psychoanalytic approach.

Antonino Ferro

Antonino Ferro is president of the Italian Psychoanalytic Society and consultant associate editor of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis. He is a training and supervising analyst in the Italian Psychoanalytic Society, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and the International Psychoanalytical Association. He received the Sigourney Award in 2007.