The MotC Assessment Process – the Case of Leah and Mason

Chapter 8 illustrates the MotC coding process through an interview carried out with Leah regarding her 5-year-old son Mason. Detailed extracts of the interview are examined and evaluated using the method. The analysis indicates that Leah is trying very hard to parent Mason and to do all the things that professionals say are needed, whilst avoiding her own feelings. Unfortunately, in numbing herself she also numbs her caregiving instincts and connection to Mason. This could be seen as a caregiving compromise which allows her to get the job done without being derailed by feelings of inadequacy and failure; feelings that, as we see, are reinforced by her relational history and current Family Court context. The coding process initially focusses on identifying and making sense of Leah’s defensiveness. Such an analysis is incomplete without linking it to Leah’s context; looking more closely at what Leah is defending herself against and why. This is continued in the next chapter which demonstrates how the coding can be used to think about supporting Leah and Mason’s relationship.