Australian MBT Institute

Spectrum recognised as an internationally accredited Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) centre by Anna Freud

Clinical MBT Specialist

In recognition of the depth of our experience and expertise, Spectrum has been accredited by the internationally renowned Anna Freud Centre in the UK.

For over 10 years the Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) team has been delivering high-quality clinical treatment, as well as training and supervising clinicians and services from across the country.

Earlier this year Spectrum launched the Australian MBT Institute.

Aim of the Australian MBT Institute

The Institute has a range of purposes including:

  1. Create a national network of MBT centres across Australia to support a community of practice by drawing together services and providers who are applying MBT in various settings e.g., forensics, parent-infant work, child and youth, adults, etc.
  2. Lead training and dissemination of MBT in Australia.
  3. Support people to:
    1. Access non-clinical information about MBT.
    2. Find how to access MBT publicly, and privately.
    3. Maintain a national register of accredited practitioners.
  4. Lead local research projects/treatment developments and disseminate the latest findings from international research.
  5. Develop a community of practice and skills maintenance opportunities.
  6. Host regular professional development seminars/events.

This will formalise and broaden the extensive range of activities already taking place within Spectrum’s MBT Clinic. 

We are delighted to announce Professor Anthony Bateman has agreed to be our first patron of the Institute. 

MBT Basic Training – Three day workshop

Australian MBT Institute is proud to be able to deliver the MBT Basic Training in Melbourne, Australia. The MBT Basic Training serves as the essential foundation for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in the treatment of personality disorders. The workshop is accredited by the prestigious Anna Freud Centre, which has played a crucial role in advancing the understanding and application of MBT.

The MBT Basic Training is accredited and recognised by the Anna Freud Centre as the first component of their formal training program to become an accredited practitioner in MBT as follows:

  1. MBT Basic training workshop delivered by Spectrum MBT practitioners.
  2. Supervision with an MBT Practitioner
  3. MBT Certificate workshop for practitioner level
For more information on the Anna Freud Centre MBT training program, please refer to their website here.

Entry requirements

  1. Applicants for the MBT Basic Training must meet the following entry requirements:
  2. They should be qualified health professionals such as Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Clinical/Counselling Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers, Psychotherapists etc.
  3. They will have a minimum of one years’ experience working therapeutically with people with personality disorder in teams or in individual or group work.
  4. They will have undertaken supervised practice and be committed to professional standards and practice within an ethical framework.
  5. It is desirable that they have personal experience of psychotherapy or counselling.

MBT Basic Training for BPD

3-day in-person or online workshop

Find and register for a MBT Basic Training workshop (search MBT)
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Further information

If you have any questions regarding this initiative please contact Dr. Julian Nesci, Clinical MBT Specialist.

[email protected]
Clinical MBT Specialist