Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an innovative form of psychodynamic psychotherapy , developed and manualised by Peter Fonagy and Anthony Bateman.

MBT has been designed for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), who suffer from disorganised attachment and allegedly failed to develop a mentalization capacity within the context of an attachment relationship. Fonagy and Bateman claim mentalization is the process by which we implicitly and explicitly interpret the actions of oneself and others as meaningful on the basis of intentional mental states. The object of treatment is that BPD patients increase mentalization capacity which should improve affect regulation and interpersonal relationships. The treatment should be distinguished from and has no connection with the more common Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapy developed by Jon KabatZinn. More recently, a range of Mentalization-Based treatments, using the "mentalizing stance" defined in MBT but directed at children (MBT-C), families (MBT-F) and adolescents (MBT-A, and for chaotic multi-problem

youth, AMBIT (Adolescent Mentalization-Based Integrative Treatment) ) has been under development by groups mainly gravitating around the Anna Freud Centre .[1] Goals The major goals of MBT are: (1) better behavioral control, (2) increased affect regulation, (3) more intimate and gratifying relationships and (4) the ability to pursue life goals. This is believed to be accomplished through increasing the patients capacity for mentalization in order to stabilize the clients sense of self and to enhance stability in emotions and relationships.[2] Jump back a section Focus of treatment A distinctive feature of MBT is placing the enhancement of mentalizing itself as focus of treatment. The aim of therapy is not developing insight, but the recovery of mentalization. The focus should be on the present state and how it remains influenced by events of the past. Other core aspects of treatment include bearing in mind patients deficits, using transference, retaining mental closeness, and working with current mental states. Transference under this model is distinct from the classical understanding of this term.

Jump back a section Treatment procedure MBT is offered to patients twice per week with sessions alternating between group therapy and individual treatment. During sessions the therapist activates the attachment system through a range of largely unconscious techniques. Activation occurs through the elaboration of current and past attachment relationships, the therapists encouragement and regulation of the patients attachment bond with the therapist and the therapists attempts to create attachment bonds between members of the therapy group.