What is mentalization?
Mentalization is a valuable skill that enables you to understand your own emotions, thoughts and actions. Mentalizing helps to be curious and comprehend the feelings and behaviours of others.
Mentalizing helps to create healthier relationships with yourself and others. Sometimes, when we are in situations that trigger a high level of emotion, we might become fixed in our thinking, act impulsively, and make quick assumptions about the intentions of other’s or their feelings. Good mentalization can help us to manage difficult emotions and situations.
What is mentalization-based therapy?
MBT stands for Mentalization Based Therapy. It is a form of psychological therapy that that focuses on improving a person’s ability to mentalize, which means understanding their own thoughts and emotions, as well as those of others.
MBT can help us to be more aware of the here and now experiences of ourselves and others. It can help us step away from acting on our emotions without thinking.
Who is mentalization-based therapy for?
MBT is tailored for adults experiencing complex emotional challenges including trust issues, overwhelming emotions, destructive behaviours and relationship problems.
How is mentalization-based therapy delivered?
Mentalization-based therapy can be delivered in different ways depending on your individual needs and the options within the service you are accessing support from.
It can be delivered as a combination of the following:
- A short-term education based introductory group of 90-minute sessions on a weekly basis
- Weekly 1:1 therapy format for 60-minute sessions as a longer-term therapy
- Weekly group therapy in 90-minute group sessions for nine months or longer
How to get the best from your treatment
Your commitment shapes your progress. Attend your scheduled appointments to maximise your experience.
Occasionally, sessions may be recorded to ensure adherence to the MBT model. Your individual therapist will discuss this with you.
L1195, v1 03/07/2024 (archive 03/07/2027)
