What Is Reflective Functioning? Mentalization, Attachment Theory & RF Scoring with Dr. Miriam Steele

About this episode

Dr. Puder and Dr. Miriam Steele discuss reflective functioning, its origins, and its implications in mental health treatment.

In this episode, Dr. Puder hosts a conversation with Dr. Miriam Steele, a leading expert in reflective functioning (RF), mentalization, and attachment theory. They explore the origins of RF from the pioneering work of Peter Fonagy and John Bowlby in the London Parent-Child Project, its role in predicting secure attachments and sensitive parenting, and distinctions from empathy. Conversation topics include cutting-edge research on mentalization-based treatment (MBT) and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders, therapist RF's impact on patient outcomes, body image representations, and smartphone effects on parent-child bonds. By listening to this episode, you can earn 1.5 Psychiatry CME Credits. Link to blog Link to YouTube video Main Attachment

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Miriam Steele

Topics covered

• reflective functioning
• mentalization
• attachment theory
• borderline personality disorder
• eating disorders
• mentalization-based treatment
• transference-focused psychotherapy

Keywords

• CME credits
• secure attachments
• sensitive parenting
• therapist RF
• body image
• smartphone effects

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Main Attachment

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