Equivalence

Commentary - Psychic Equivalence

Psychic equivalence is a non-mentalizing mode. It must be addressed in treatment when it arises but can be difficult to shift. The issue is not what the patient believes but how he holds the belief and experience. Do not challenge the content. In this clip the patient is talking about her experience of a court usher, the person who runs the court process, and is sure that the people in the court room are trying to ‘wind her up’. In this video Anthony Bateman demonstrates the importance of initially accepting psychic equivalence and the need to question gently and continuously psychic equivalence as much as possible.