Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT) in London

Do you confuse even yourself? Often struggle to know what you actually think, feel, or believe? Or do you feel uncomfortable around others and assume they think the worse of you, or don’t like you? 

What is mentalisation-based therapy? 

Mentalisation is the art of 'thinking about thinking’. If you struggle with mentalising, you won’t understand your thoughts and feelings most of the time, and can make impulsive decisions that upset others. Or you make assumptions about what others think that leave you feeling lonely and unhappy. 

Mentalisation-based therapy steps in and helps you think more clearly and correctly about yourself and others, meaning you make better choices and improve your relationships. 

A therapy that is helpful for all ages, even children, it can be done individually, in a group, or as a family. 

How is MBT therapy different than other talk therapies?

It's all about how your thinking works.

Instead of focusing on previous life experiences or trying to find insight about yourself, MBT therapy puts the focus squarely on how you think about yourself and others. 

It's present based.

You will only discuss your past experiences when it's necessary to understand your here and now. 

You are in partnership with your therapist.

More equal than the traditional 'client and patient' model, on the other hand it doesn't focus on the therapy relationship as a tool to understand other relationships.

Mentalisation and borderline personality disorder 

Mentalisation-based treatment was originally conceived to help clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Research shows that it can help sufferers with symptoms like interpersonal issues and suicidal behaviour, and can lower their depression and anxiety [1]. 

But it's also thought helpful for:

• anger issues 
• eating disorders 
• attachment disorders 
• depression 
• other personality disorders
• trauma
• trust issues 
• relationship problems 
• self-harm 
• substance abuse. 

What is an MBT session like?

Your first few sessions will involve assessing what has bought you to therapy. What are your current difficulties? How might they have originated, and what keeps triggering them? 

From there your sessions will involve helping you with your present day struggles and relationships. What have you been thinking and feeling? Are your thoughts correct, or are they assumptions? How have those thoughts influenced your choices or caused conflict? What might those around you be thinking?

The goals of mentalisation-based treatment

Like all therapies, the goal is to help you feel more capable of navigating your life. But working with an MBT psychotherapist can also provide benefits like: 

• have more control of your emotions and behaviours
• make good decisions no matter how you are feeling
• improve youre relationships and be better at intimacy 
• feel more able to trust yourself and others   
• understand what life goals are best for you and how to reach them.

MBT Therapists at Harley Therapy™ London

We understand that embarking on your therapy journey can be daunting, and are committed to making the process easier by only providing counselling psychologists trained at the best institutions and with years of experience.

Time to feel liked by yourself and others?

Ready to try mentalisation-based therapy for BPD, relationship problems, or another issue? Call us now to make an appointment with an MBT therapist in London or online. You can also book directly using our online booking form.  

FOOTNOTES

*[1] Vogt, K.S. and Norman, P. (2019), Is mentalization‐based therapy effective in treating the symptoms of borderline personality disorder? A systematic review. Psychol Psychother Theory Res Pract, 92: 441-464. doi: 10.1111/papt.12194.

Mentalisation-based therapy can help with:

• Anger issues 
• Anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders 
• Attachment disorders 
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Depression 
• Other personality disorders
• Trauma
• Relationship and trust problems 
• Self-harm 
• Substance abuse.