Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) Programme

MBT programme consists of both group and individual components and its recommended length is a minimum of 12 months. For MBT to be successful participants attend both parts of the treatment. In the early phase of therapy it is helpful if participants can attend regular 1:1 therapy sessions in order to develop a safe relationship where both participant and therapist can work on a shared understanding of key mentalising issues and treatment aims. The frequency of 1:1 sessions can be spaced out after this initial phase depending on individual circumstances. The individual sessions are the platform for the group therapy which provides participants with opportunities to experiment with alternative ways of understanding themselves and others in unfamiliar ways.

The group therapy sessions are different to individual therapy in that participants get a variety of people in the group who might evoke different responses and create opportunities for therapeutic shifts.

What is mentalising?

Put simply, mentalising is the ability we all have to manage times when we are uncertain about others, and ourselves. Uncertainty is always part of our intimate relationships, work relationships, social relationships and even how we relate to strangers. Mentalising helps us to fill in the gaps that uncertainty creates so that we can manage relationships healthily. Mentalising develops easily for people who are raised in secure and safe environments. The optimal conditions for mentalising to flourish are when parents, or care-givers, give children enough patience, support, kindness, emotional availability and acceptance. Unfortunately many people do not consistently experience these conditions growing up. Furthermore, children have more difficulty developing mentalising skills if they have faced adversity such as bullying experiences at school, abuse of various kinds and separation from parents or care-givers. This therapy has been developed to assist people to reclaim their innate capacities to mentalise in order that they can feel happier about who they are and more secure and confident in their relationships.

Where and when?

The group MBT sessions are held at Brighter Spaces, 2A Prebend Street, Islington, N1 8PT on Fridays from 17:00 to 18:30.

Who should join?

There is no specific diagnostic requirement for participation in the MBT programme. If any of the following challenges interfere with the quality of your life, either in personal or professional contexts, MBT is highly recommended.

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• Difficulties regulating intense emotions that lead you to behaving in ways you don’t understand,

• Chaotic relationships where you either frantically pursue or impulsively cut the other person off,

• Enormous fear of abandonment and trying to avoid it at all costs,

• Impulsive urges and risky behaviours that make your life unbearable or lead to feelings of self-hate or shame,

• Episodes of extreme emotional pain and attempts to stop it with self-harm, alcohol, drugs or sex,

• Rapidly changing moods for no apparent reason,

• Anger, emotional sensitivity and recurrent depression.

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Participation in the group sessions is carefully considered in terms of each potential group members’ psychological awareness and their readiness to hear other people's experiences and listen to others' perspectives.