CENTER FOR APPLIED
THEORY OF MIND
PERSPECTIVE TAKING, GAINING, SHIFTING & SHAPING
CONSULTATION
Let's Talk
Unlock insight. Accelerate growth. Achieve results.
Mentalization is most powerful when applied to real-life situations. Our consultation services provide a confidential space to apply the CAToM Framework to the personal, professional, or organizational challenges you are facing.
Rather than offering advice or ready-made solutions, we work collaboratively to deepen understanding of the mental states, perspectives, assumptions and relational dynamics that shape the situation.
Following an initial consultation, we work with you to identify your goals and design a personalised development pathway based on the CAToM Framework.
Depending on your needs, your development may focus on strengthening your ability to reason about minds in situations involving:
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people whose perspectives, beliefs, or motivations differ significantly from your own
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misunderstandings, conflict, or difficult conversations
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uncertainty about another person's intentions or expectations
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complex group dynamics and competing viewpoints
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intercultural or multidisciplinary collaboration
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individuals whose thinking or behavior is difficult to understand, including those experiencing psychological difficulties or personality-related challenges
The aim is not simply to learn techniques, but to develop a deeper ability to understand the mental states that shape behavior—your own and those of others—and to apply that understanding in everyday life and professional practice.
Our Approach
The CAToM Framework
At the Centre for Applied Theory of Mind, we believe that understanding human behavior begins with understanding the minds that produce it.
The CAToM Framework is a practical framework for developing mental state reasoning: the uniquely human ability to infer, evaluate and reason about the thoughts, beliefs, intentions, emotions, knowledge, assumptions and motivations that shape behavior.
Unlike approaches that focus primarily on behavior, communication, personality, or emotional intelligence, the CAToM Framework develops the underlying cognitive ability to construct increasingly accurate models of our own minds and the minds of others.
This ability allows us to move beyond simply asking "What did this person do?" to asking "What did this person think, believe, know, intend, or misunderstand that made this behavior meaningful from their perspective?" It is this shift—from observing behavior to understanding the mental states that generate it—that lies at the heart of Applied Theory of Mind.
Drawing on research in theory of mind, mentalization, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, social cognition, decision science, and related fields, the CAToM Framework translates decades of scientific research into a practical methodology that can be applied across leadership, education, healthcare, coaching, negotiation, teamwork and everyday life.
The framework is informed by established evidence, including research on mentalization and principles from Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), while extending these ideas into a non-clinical framework for learning, professional development and personal growth.
CAToM does not provide clinical therapy. We enhance the human ability to reason about minds—helping individuals and organisations understand behavior more accurately, make better judgements, improve relationships and navigate an increasingly complex social world.
Let’s Find Out What Works for You
Consultation and training are offered in English and Dutch.
Because every situation is different — in goals, context and scope — CAToM does not use a fixed booking system. Each trajectory is tailored to the specific needs of the individual or organization.
Pricing is discussed transparently during the intake and remains in line with local professional standards. The initial intake is free of charge and usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. During this short conversation we will explore:
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the question or challenge you would like to discuss
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the format that would work best for you
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practical aspects such as possible next steps and pricing
The intake is simply an opportunity to see whether the approach fits your needs. There is no obligation — just a first step to explore whether working together could be valuable.
Take the first step and schedule an intake using the form below. We will get back to you shortly.