Mentalization-based treatment.

Abstract

The concept of mentalizing has captured the interest and imagination of an astonishing range of people-from psychoanalysts to neuroscientists, from child development researchers to geneticists, from existential philosophers to phenomenologists-all of whom seem to have found it useful. According to the Thompson Reuter maintained Web of Science, the use of the term in titles and abstracts of scientific papers increased from 10 to 2,750 between 1991 and 2011. Clinicians in particular have enthusiastically embraced the idea, and have put it to innovative use in their practices. Mentalization-based treatment (MBT)-making mentalizing a core focus of therapy-was initially developed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in routine clinical services delivered in group and individual modalities. Therapy with mentalizing as a central component is currently being developed for treatment of numerous groups, including people with antisocial personality disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, and at-risk mothers with infants and children (A. Bateman & Fonagy, 2011). It is also being used with families and adolescents, in schools, and in managing social

Emotion dysregulation as mediator between mentalizing capacity and affective states: An exploratory study

“… 52 , 53 On the other hand, attending to PA in mentalization‐based treatment is proposed to be an effective tool, even more so than NA. 50 , 54 Hence, the findings of this study empirically support the recent suggestions for clinical practice.…”

“…In this model, NA is at the forefront of the five maladaptive traits, the existing practice recommendations for addressing which encourage a particular focus on cultivating mentalizing capacity and emotion regulation 52,53 . On the other hand, attending to PA in mentalization‐based treatment is proposed to be an effective tool, even more so than NA 50,54 . Hence, the findings of this study empirically support the recent suggestions for clinical practice.…”

“…For instance, compared to the categorical classifications, the alternative model for personality disorders 48 has demonstrated superior diagnostic utility and perceived clinical utility 49 . The latest manuals for mentalization‐based treatment have, in fact, moved towards incorporating this alternative dimensional model 50,51 . In this model, NA is at the forefront of the five maladaptive traits, the existing practice recommendations for addressing which encourage a particular focus on cultivating mentalizing capacity and emotion regulation 52,53 .…”

“… 49 The latest manuals for mentalization‐based treatment have, in fact, moved towards incorporating this alternative dimensional model. 50 , 51 In this model, NA is at the forefront of the five maladaptive traits, the existing practice recommendations for addressing which encourage a particular focus on cultivating mentalizing capacity and emotion regulation. 52 , 53 On the other hand, attending to PA in mentalization‐based treatment is proposed to be an effective tool, even more so than NA.…”

Friston, Free Energy, and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

“…This thinking about thinking gives subjects a greater understanding of their world and actions, thus in turn enhancing their likelihood of more skilful living. Learning to be self-reflective takes account of and counteracts the built-in error and limitations of our perceptions of the world [23,24]. Generating more subtle and complex top-down models of themselves and their world enables clients to live in a more adapted and fulfilling way.…”