Mentalizing encompasses a suite of developmentally acquired psychological processes that critically assist through developmental transitions and help youths to envision themselves and others in terms of intentional mental states such as feelings, desires, wishes, goals, values, and attitudes.

In the past two decades, assessment of mentalizing processes and psychotherapy adaptations have been proposed for a number of different psychopathologies in adult forms of personality disorders. Only recently have evaluation and intervention procedures been adapted to children and adolescents.

The current symposium seeks to present the latest concepts and instruments in the evaluation of mentalizing, and further present the most recent developments in mentalization-based therapy for children. The symposium presents the key issues in assisting clinicians and researchers in reuniting the tools to foster the development of mentalization in clinical practice with youths.