Mentalisation in Art Therapy – a case study

Abstract

This article examines the reciprocal relationship between psychodynamic art therapy and the concept of mentalisation against the backdrop of object relations theories. It considers this to be a helpful concept for viewing triangulation processes in art therapy as promoting mentalisation and for classifying them in the existing literature review. The case history examines the development of mentalisation-promoting processes in the context of a two-year art therapy intervention with an adult individual in a clinical setting and in outpatient art therapy.

Key words

Mentalisation, attachment, object relations, triangulation, joint shared attention, symbolisation, traumatisation, early childhood attachment trauma, depression, eating disorder, suicidality