Relational and defensive patterns

Mentalising / reflective functioning

Understanding one’s own and others’ behaviour in terms of mental states.

Theory-linked constructClinically reviewed

InterpersonalDevelopmental

Fit, function and alternatives

Test this factor against the case

A contextual factor earns a place in the formulation when case evidence links it to the presentation, not because it is present.

Check alternatives

Do not infer the process from a label, search phrase or diagnosis alone. Assess actual circumstances and source-specific population limits.

Next steps

Elicit case evidence, examine alternatives, discuss the hypothesis with the person, and revise when relevant evidence changes.

Qualification

Different measures assess different aspects. Evidence for psychotherapy mediation/moderation is tentative and does not validate inference from one interaction.

Caveats for this record

Educational formulation aid, not a diagnostic instrument, score or treatment order.
No generated history, trauma, protective factor, or patient preference may be asserted without case evidence.

Record status

Record type: Theory-linked construct
Population: Adult-general clinical formulation; apply narrower source population limits
Review: Clinically reviewed

Evidence

S49The role of mentalizing in psychological interventions in adults: Systematic review and recommendations for future research

Clinical Psychology Review (Elsevier) · 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102380 · Bibliographic record and abstract. Abstract/methods/limitations.

Review authors found too few heterogeneous studies for formal meta-analysis despite database indexing. Conclusions are tentative and do not validate diagnosis from a single interaction.

Link withheld: this source remains held and is cited as metadata only.

Evidence references only. Each source's own limitations still apply.

Relational and defensive patterns

Acting out Attachment anxiety / hyperactivation Denial Displacement Family/system accommodation Idealisation / devaluation

Guide modules

Rapid clinical formulation guide Foundations, terminology and evidence limits Practical assessment-to-formulation workflow Risk formulation and management linkage Documentation templates and worked examples

How to use this

Record the case evidence yourself. Nothing here is a patient finding, and no factor becomes a cause because it appears in the formulation.

Relational and defensive patterns

Mentalising / reflective functioning

Understanding one’s own and others’ behaviour in terms of mental states.

Theory-linked constructClinically reviewed

InterpersonalDevelopmental

Fit, function and alternatives

Test this factor against the case

A contextual factor earns a place in the formulation when case evidence links it to the presentation, not because it is present.

Check alternatives

Do not infer the process from a label, search phrase or diagnosis alone. Assess actual circumstances and source-specific population limits.

Next steps

Elicit case evidence, examine alternatives, discuss the hypothesis with the person, and revise when relevant evidence changes.

Qualification

Different measures assess different aspects. Evidence for psychotherapy mediation/moderation is tentative and does not validate inference from one interaction.

Caveats for this record

Educational formulation aid, not a diagnostic instrument, score or treatment order.
No generated history, trauma, protective factor, or patient preference may be asserted without case evidence.

Record status

Record type: Theory-linked construct
Population: Adult-general clinical formulation; apply narrower source population limits
Review: Clinically reviewed

Evidence

S49The role of mentalizing in psychological interventions in adults: Systematic review and recommendations for future research

Clinical Psychology Review (Elsevier) · 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102380 · Bibliographic record and abstract. Abstract/methods/limitations.

Review authors found too few heterogeneous studies for formal meta-analysis despite database indexing. Conclusions are tentative and do not validate diagnosis from a single interaction.

Link withheld: this source remains held and is cited as metadata only.

Evidence references only. Each source's own limitations still apply.

Relational and defensive patterns

Acting out Attachment anxiety / hyperactivation Denial Displacement Family/system accommodation Idealisation / devaluation

Guide modules

How to use this

Record the case evidence yourself. Nothing here is a patient finding, and no factor becomes a cause because it appears in the formulation.