This study examined whether training can increase the reflective function (RF) of novice therapists about patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). A total of 48 students in clinical psychology were randomly assigned to mentalization training or didactic training. Their RF regarding patients was assessed with the Therapist Mental Activity Scale (TMAS: Normandin, Ensink, & Maheux, 2012). The RF of trainees assigned to the mentalization training improved significantly, while participants who received traditional didactic training actually became significantly less reflective. These findings show that brief mentalization training can help beginner therapists develop their mentalization capacities with challenging patients.

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La capacité de mentalisation du thérapeute, habileté lui permettant de comprendre le monde interne du patient et le sien en contexte clinique, est un processus à la fois cognitif et affectif pouvant être opérationnalisé à l’aide du construit d’Activité Mentale du Thérapeute (AM-T). La grille d’AM-T comprend trois échelles mesurant les modes rationnel/objectif, réactif/impulsif et réflexif/mentalisant. Les AM-T de 107 thérapeutes expérimentés et en formation ont été mesurées. Trois profils distincts d’AM-T ont été identifiés. Une différence en ce qui a trait à l’expérience a été retrouvée entre les profils. Les implications théoriques et cliniques de ces profils seront discutées.The mentalization capacity of the therapist is considered central to imagining and understanding the internal experience and reactions of the patient as well as their own. Mentalization involves cognitive and affective processes in a clinical context that can be conceptualized and operationalized for research as the Therapist’s Mental Activity (TMA). The TMA measure includes three scales to assess the rational/objective, reactive/unconscious and reflective/mentalizing modes. The TMA of 107 experienced and trainee therapists was measured. Three distinct profiles of TMA were identified and were associated with experience. The theoretical and clinical implications of these profiles are discussed

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