Core Concepts for Grief-Sensitive Care

Mentalization refers to the capacity to pause and consider what may be happening internally for ourselves and for others. In healthcare settings, this means looking beyond observable behavior to reflect on thoughts, emotions, intentions, and lived experiences that may be shaping how a patient, supporter, or colleague is responding in a given moment.

This perspective is especially important in the context of grief. Grief often influences behavior, communication, and decision-making in ways that are not immediately visible or easily explained by clinical information alone. Mentalization supports curiosity when reactions feel unexpected, intense, or difficult to interpret, helping reduce assumptions and misattributions.

Within grief-sensitive care, mentalization encourages healthcare professionals to hold multiple perspectives at once. This includes awareness of one’s own stress, emotions, and expectations, while remaining open to the internal experiences of others. Taking this reflective stance can support more accurate understanding, strengthen relationships, and create space for grief to be recognized even when it is not explicitly named.

Mentalization is not about having the right interpretation or fixing emotional distress. It is about staying open, curious, and grounded in the understanding that behavior often reflects unmet needs, loss, or emotional load. This orientation supports compassion, steadiness, and more attuned care across a wide range of healthcare interactions.