Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)
Learn about Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) an internationally recognised and evidence-based treatment for people living with borderline personality disorder.
What is Mentalization Treatment?
Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) is a highly effective, research-supported therapy designed to help individuals struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
MBT focuses on improving the ability to understand and interpret your own thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others. This "mentalizing" process helps people build stronger, healthier relationships, manage emotions, and cope with stress in more adaptive ways.
Mentalizing is something that we all do all the time, but mostly without realising it. It’s the way in which our minds connect behaviours and actions to mental states such as thoughts, feelings, beliefs, perspectives, needs, desires, and intentions, both within ourselves and in others.
In other words, it’s the way that our minds tell us what we’re thinking and feeling, and why we’re behaving as we are; it’s also the way our minds guess at what others are thinking and feeling, and why they’re behaving/appearing the way they are.
What’s involved in MBT treatment?
MBT Therapy Program
People receiving MBT participate in both weekly individual therapy sessions
and weekly group therapy sessions. Treatment duration is usually either 6 or 18 months.
Individual treatment
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Sessions run for 50 minutes.
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The sessions provide an opportunity to discuss challenges the person may be experiencing/have experienced in their life.
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The therapist may provide direct advice at times, however for the most part they try to think and reflect with the person about problems to help the person gradually develop their own solutions. In doing so, the person will be practicing the skill of mentalizing in each session so they can use it more easily and flexibly outside of sessions.
Group Therapy
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Sessions last for 90 minutes.
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The group therapy program typically starts with a 6-week introductory program. In this group, participants learn what they can expect from the MBT treatment program. Participation in this group is considered a necessary pre-treatment phase for entry into the full program.
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Following this, participants commence the ongoing weekly group.
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Groups typically have two facilitators and up to eight group members.
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During MBT sessions, participants reflect on difficulties in their current lives to improve their understanding of themselves and others. Together with co-participants or therapist support, each person explores what was going on in their own mind and what might have been going on in other peoples’ minds, particularly in situations that have caused a strong emotional response or problematic reaction.
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This will require participants to be curious about their own and others’ experiences, asking each other questions, and sharing perspectives. This serves as a live skills practice group where everyone practices the skill of mentalizing.
Risks and side effects of MBT
Engaging in MBT can be a challenging process, as it requires individuals to reflect on their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as understand those of others.
This can sometimes feel uncomfortable or overwhelming, especially when discussing personal and sensitive experiences in therapy, whether individually or in a group setting.
As a result, it is not uncommon for people to feel worse before they start to feel better. However, it’s important to understand that this is a normal part of the journey. Our team is fully aware of these challenges and is committed to providing the necessary support and guidance throughout the process, ensuring that each individual feels safe and understood as they work towards growth.
Practising the skill of mentalizing flexibly
Mentalising is a skill we all need to be able to do flexibly when navigating everyday life. However, we can sometimes use this skill too much or too little. By practising this skill in therapy, it gives us a better chance of being able to use it in our day-to-day life, even in situations where we may face increased stress or overwhelming emotions.
When we practise the skill of mentalizing flexibly, it helps:
develop a language for our thoughts and feelings, and to understand why we do what we do
develop a clear sense of self, and work towards our goals and desires
regulate our emotions
problem-solve
reduce misunderstandings in relationships, and
reduce the need for other ways of coping such as self-injury, hospital admissions and substance use
Contact the Spectrum intake team for more information or referral
Phone: (03) 8413 8750 (ask for the intake team)
Email: [email protected]