What is MBT?
When people feel distressed, their ability to 'mentalize' can be
severely reduced. Thinking becomes a real effort, and reasoned
thinking about others nearly impossible. People who struggle with
their ability to mentalize often find that they have difficulties
in making and sustaining relationships with others, or frequently
misinterpret the intentions of others which can lead to conflict.
The approach assumes that mentalizing is a learned skill, and can
be developed through therapy. Thus the therapy can also help you
understand your own thoughts and feelings, and can help you to gain
mastery over them when you are feeling intense emotions.
Who is it for?
MBT was originally developed to treat people with borderline
personality disorder (BPD), and it is a recommended therapy for
this disorder under NICE guidelines. It's also been found to be
useful for people with other mental health difficulties,
particularly for people suffering the long-term effects of trauma,
or who have chronic problems in their relationships.
What is the therapy like?
The treatment begins with an assessment process, during which
the therapy will be explained to you in depth. The decision to
commit to this therapy will be made jointly between you and the
assessing therapist. This will include liaison with other
professionals involved in your care. The final decision about
joining the programme will be made following a twelve week
introductory group. The therapy lasts for 18months and consists of
weekly sessions in an MBT Group, facilitated by two therapists,
supported by weekly sessions of MBT with an individual
therapist. The sessions will be recorded to ensure a high
quality of care and will conform to trust confidentiality
standards.
Group and individual therapists meet together weekly to share
your progress, so that we can provide you with the best possible
therapy.
The introductory skills group begins by teaching members about
mentalizing, and focuses on helping members develop their skills in
mentalizing, as well as providing a setting where these skills can
be put into practice.
Both the group and individual MBT sessions are carefully
designed to be at a level of intensity that you can comfortably
cope with. Our aim is to provide a safe space where you can
challenge your own thinking without being overwhelmed by difficult
and painful feelings.
Where will I get my therapy?
You will attend Macartney House Psychotherapy Service for your
group sessions. You will also attend Macartney House for your
individual therapy, though there may be some scope to provide you
with individual sessions in other locations. We will discuss this
with you at your assessment.
Further
information
For a service user's account of this therapy see http://www.organiclemon.org/id7.html
Further information on MBT and Borderline Personality disorder
can also be obtained from
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pressparliament/pressreleasearchive/pr748.asp