The curious, not-knowing stance is at the heart of Mentalization-Based Therapy, and it is one of the hardest things to hold on to in a session. When a client is in distress, most of us feel a pull to understand quickly, explain away or to fix.
In this three-hour Skills Lab, we will look at what the stance is, how it differs from simply asking questions, and what happens in the room when we lose it. Through video, clinical vignettes and role play, we will practise staying curious about the client’s mind.
Drawn from MBT, it is open to therapists of all backgrounds.
This Session Is Intended For
- Therapists in training (clinical psychology, counselling, psychiatry, social work)
- Early-career therapists interested in relational approach
- Therapists/Trainees with curiosity about MBT but no prior formal exposure
Session Overview
- Introductions & context
- Generating & discussing case scenarios
- Brief theoretical overview
- Demonstration & live role-play
- Reflection & debrief
What You’ll Practise
- Practise holding a curious, not-knowing stance while a client shares their experience
- Try out curious, open questions in place of factual questions or explanations
- Notice in the moment when you slip into knowing, explaining or fixing, and practise returning to curiosity
- Apply the stance through video, clinical vignettes and role play
- Reflect on what makes curiosity hard for you personally, and what helps you stay with it
Before You Register
- Skills Labs require active participation. Participants are expected to keep their cameras on and engage throughout the session.
- Role-play is compulsory and may take place in dyads, small groups, or with the larger group, depending on the number of participants.
- Come prepared to reflect on situations from your own practice that are relevant to the topic.
Meet the Expert
Shilpa Nagaraj is a licensed Clinical Psychologist (RCI) with an MPhil in Clinical Psychology from Manipal University. She offers both brief and long-term psychotherapy to adults with a focus on relational and reflective ways of working at The Green Oak Initiative.
Her clinical practice is strongly influenced by Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT). She has completed her advanced training in MBT at The PARC and Anna Freud, under Prof. Anthony Bateman.
