1. A two day workshop outlining mentalizing theory and
developing clinical skills for supporting Parental Reflective Function (PRF).
Presented by Anna Freud Centre accredited MBT practitioner and supervisor.
Mentalization refers to the fundamental human capacity to apprehend our own as well as others’ minds as
minds. Mentalizing is the process by which we make sense of behaviour as being driven by underlying
mental states. This elemental social capacity is important for emotional regulation, development of a
coherent sense of self, and successful relationships. Reflective functioning refers to the measurable
assessment of mentalization capacity. Mentalizing deficits are now recognised as underlying many severe
conditions that lead to referral for psychological therapy.
A growing body of literature supports the central role of the early attachment relationship in supporting the
development of this crucial mental capacity. High reflective capacity in parents is associated with a range of
positive outcomes for children including: more secure attachments, earlier development of theory of mind,
better social skills, psychological health and resilience in adversity. Supporting Parental Reflective Function
and mentalizing in parents then, becomes an important skill for mental health clinicians working with
families.
Workshop Outline
Mentalizing and Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) 1
This seminar will focus on the origins and characteristics of reflective functioning and mentalizing. The
relationship between PRF and secure attachment will be outlined as well as the evidence for developmental
interruptions to the development of mentalizing capacity. The role of mentalizing in affect regulation,
development of the self and relationships will be discussed.
Mentalizing and Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF) 2
The impact of categories of childhood trauma on the development of mentalizing capacity will be discussed.
The characteristics of robust mentalizing will be outlined and the session will include a role play task of
working with a parent-infant dyad examining facets of robust and poor mentalising.
The Reflective/Mentalizing Practitioner:
This seminar will focus on the mentalizing clinician's stance and, in particular, describe and demonstrate key
mentalizing techniques such as the use of self, transparency and non-defensiveness and how these
characteristics of the clinician can support mentalizing in the client. The unknowing, mind-curious stance
will be demonstrated in a role play, initially by the presenters and then with participants followed by group
discussion and feedback. Setting a specifically mentalizing frame with parents will be discussed, with
clinical examples.
Increasing Mentalizing in Parents of Infants:
This seminar will begin with an outline of the stages of therapeutic work with parents of infants. The role of
containment and establishing epistemic trust in supporting mentalizing will be discussed. Through the use of
video vignettes of a parent and baby, with attention paid to readiness and stages of therapy, there will then be
discussion of how to observe and measure reflective functioning in a parent, and then intervene to increase
the parents' capacity to imagine the mind and the experience of their infant. Participants will role play
working with a parent and young infant, with guidance on how to promote a mentalizing and mind-minded
stance in the parent.
Supporting Parental Reflective Function andSupporting Parental Reflective Function and
Mentalizing in Parents of InfantsMentalizing in Parents of Infants

2. At the completion of the worshop participants can expect to be able to:
1. Define the characteristics of mentalizing
2. Assess aspects of mentalizing and parental reflective capacity
3. Understand the mentalizing clinician’s stance
4. Understand the impact of trauma on the development of mentalizing capacity
5. Apply clinical interventions aimed at enhancing PRF and mentalizing
The Presenters
Margie Stuchbery M.Psych (Couns), MAPS, MCCLP
Margie has completed the practitioner level MBT training and been supervised by Anthony Bateman since
2011. She is now an Anna Freud Centre accredited MBT supervisor. Margie is a clinical psychologist with
over 20 years’ perinatal mental health experience working with infants, children and their families in public
and private health systems. Margie practices MBT and applies MBT principles in supervision to clinical
psychologists, postgraduate students, advanced trainees in Psychiatry and mental health workers in juvenile
justice and child protection. She is also an accredited practitioner of the parent-infant therapy Watch, Wait
and Wonder and has trained in the use of the Parent Development Interview to assess Parental Reflective
Functioning. She works in private practice in Leichhardt and Randwick.
John Butters
John Butters is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. He has received
introductory and practitioner training in MBT through the Anna Freud Centre, and is currently completing
postgraduate research into attachment variation and epistemic trust, at Macquarie University.
His current clinical interests are in the use of mentalizing to support treatment of trauma and personality
disorders. He has extensive training in Self Psychology and Dialectical Behavior Therapy and has worked for
many years in psychiatric settings. When not worrying his family with quite awful guitar skills, he is in
private practice in Pyrmont.
Note: Places at this intensive workshop will be limited in order to maximise learning, interaction and
appropriate feedback to participants, so please register early.
Supporting Parental Reflective Function andSupporting Parental Reflective Function and
Mentalizing in Parents of InfantsMentalizing in Parents of Infants
Date: Friday 4th
and Saturday 5th
March 2016
Venue: Maddison House
761 Darling street
Rozelle, NSW, 2039
Cost: $590
Time: 9 am to 5 pm (Registration 8.30- 9am)
To book a place at this event follow the link:
http://www.trybooking.com/JSJG
or at
http://maternalconnections.com.au/services/mbt/

3. A 90% refund of the total cost will be issued if cancellation is received up to December 31st
2015 . A 50 %
refund of the total cost will be issued if cancellation is received before 12th
February 2016. No refund will be
issued after the 12th
February.