Mentalization (Reflective Function)

Holding mind-in-mind (yours and others’) especially when emotions run hot.

Description

You track that Parts have beliefs, feelings, and limited data. Mentalization lets you stay curious (“What is this Part protecting?”) instead of collapsing into certainty.

What Mentalization (Reflective Function) is NOT:

Mind-reading; rumination; cynical second-guessing.

Examples:

Asking a Firefighter what disaster it predicts.
Wondering what your partner’s Manager is guarding.
Noticing your own Parts and naming them out loud.

see also:

Blending & Unblending; Self-energy; Trailheads; Compassion; Negotiation