ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION IN CHILD PSYCHIATRY: THE CONTRIBUTION OF MENTALIZATION AND PREMENTALIZING MODES TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
This article presents the reflections of a working group of clinicians and researchers regarding the importance of considering the mentalizing ability of children who consult in Child Psychiatry. The concept of mentalization, its normal and pathological development, as well as clinical evidence indicating the predominance of pre-mentalizing psychic modes of thinking are first presented. Intervention strategies to develop children's mentalizing capacities are then elaborated. The rationale and the pertinence of implementing such intervention strategies are discussed.