Mentalization-Based Treatment

Abstract

Abstract Mentalization-based therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy originally developed for borderline personality disorder. The mentalizing model is founded on attachment theory and suggests that a key mechanism behind personality disorder is disruption of the ability to make sense of oneself and other people. We explain key constructs in the mentalizing model and review the evidence base for mentalization-based treatment for personality disorder. We explain how mentalization-based therapy may be considered a transdiagnostic approach yet may also be utilized in more specialized ways with persons who have specific trait constellations in the ICD-11. The clinician is guided on how to approach treatment for (a) moderate or severe personality disorder with prominent Negative Affectivity and/or Disinhibition, (b) moderate or severe personality disorder with prominent Dissociality and/or Negative Affectivity and/or Disinhibition, (c) mild–moderate personality disorder with some Dissocial traits and (d) mild–severe personality disorder with prominent Detachment and Negative Affectivity and/or Anankastia.