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Stop, Rewind, and Explore

Stop, Rewind, and Explore
Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)
💡 Clarification 🧠 Cognition

A key MBT intervention for working with moments of loss of mentalization. After the stop, the therapist invites the client to "rewind" — back to the moment when mentalization was still functioning — and then slowly inquire what exactly led to its loss. The technique helps the client see the process of "switching off" mentalization and discover the triggers.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Stop the process (as in the "stop and stand" technique)
  2. Wait for the emotional arousal to come down to a manageable level
  3. Invite the client to return to the moment when they could still think about the situation: "Let us go back. When we were talking about. you were calmer. What changed?"
  4. Slowly, step by step, inquire into the path from mentalization to its loss
  5. Help the client to identify the breaking point — the moment when mentalization "switched off"
  6. Delicately inquire into the affects that may have led to the collapse
  7. Link the discovered pattern to a wider picture of the client's life

When to use

  • After the "stop and stand" technique has stabilized the client
  • When a collapse of mentalization has occurred during the session and there is the possibility to inquire into it
  • When the client shows a recurring pattern of loss of mentalization in particular situations

Key phrases

Let us rewind. A few minutes ago you were telling me about. and you were in contact with the feelings. What changed then?

Follow-up questions

Do you remember the moment when everything changed? What happened just before?
I noticed that something switched when we started to talk about. What happened in that moment inside you?

Alternative phrasings

Let us slow down and walk this path again, step by step.

Warnings

  • ⚠️ Do not pressure the client if they are not ready for the inquiry — sometimes it is enough just to stop
  • ⚠️ The inquiry is possible only at a lowered level of arousal
  • ⚠️ Do not interpret for the client — help them discover the pattern themselves

Source: Bateman A.W. Fonagy P. (2016). Mentalization-Based Treatment for Personality Disorders

loss of mentalization triggers patterns inquiry

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Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.