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Mentalization-based is a type ofpsychotherapyforborderline personality disorder (BPD)that focuses on your ability to recognize thoughts, feelings, wishes, and desires to see how they are linked to behavior.
What Is Mentalization?
Mentalization is a term for your ability to recognize your own mental state as well as others' emotions, separate from actions. It includes being able to think about feelings and understand that these thoughts may have an impact on the actions that you and others take.
How Is Mentalization Related to BPD?
What to Expect
Mentalization-based therapy for BPD ispsychodynamicpsychotherapy, which means that the focus of the therapy is on the interaction between the patient and the therapist. In this therapy, the therapist will focus on the present rather than the past and will work with you to enhance your emotional recognition and connection. To do this, the therapist may ask you questions about how your thoughts relate to your behavior during the session. In mentalization-based therapy, the therapist will not usually give you advice or opinion.
In mentalization-based therapy your therapist will coach you to explore your internal states and help you form new ways of mentalizing.
Research Support
Some research has supported the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy for BPD. Researchers conducted one randomized controlled study, one of the most rigorous forms of studies, in which people with BPD were assigned to either an intensive program that used mentalization-based treatment strategies or the typical treatment plan for BPD. That study showed that patients in the mentalization-based therapy program had larger reductions in deliberate self-harm, suicide attempts, anxiety, depression and learned to better handle social functioning than the patients who received the standard treatment
While this study supports the potential of mentalization-based therapy for BPD, there is still limited research showing the success of mentalization-based therapy. Before switching therapists or treatment methods, you should consult with your current therapist and medical help to discuss your options and unique needs.
Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
Get Help Now
We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.
SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”American Journal of Psychiatry. 156:1563-1569, 1999.Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Mentalization-Based Treatment of BPD.”Journal of Personality Disorders, 18:36-51, 2004.
Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”American Journal of Psychiatry. 156:1563-1569, 1999.Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Mentalization-Based Treatment of BPD.”Journal of Personality Disorders, 18:36-51, 2004.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Effectiveness of Partial Hospitalization in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”American Journal of Psychiatry. 156:1563-1569, 1999.Bateman AW, Fonagy P. “Mentalization-Based Treatment of BPD.”Journal of Personality Disorders, 18:36-51, 2004.
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