Mentalizing in Psychotherapy

“Undoubtedly the most clearly written and most easily accessible depiction of MBT that is available to date….This book could, just could, be a game changer. I very much hope that its lively style, its compassionate language, and its genuine human interest provide the foundations on which a new generation of psychologically informed, trauma-sensitive, humane, generous, and competent practitioners will emerge.”

—from the Foreword by Peter Fonagy, CBE, FMedSci, FBA, FAcSS, Head, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom


“This essential book is written by leaders in the scientific investigation and real-world implementation of mentalization-based treatment. In an encouraging, down-to-earth style, the authors render mentalizing accessible and use clinical vignettes to illustrate common pitfalls and effective interventions. The book is well contextualized in the current atmosphere of change toward dimensional understandings of mental illness. It offers needed, practical guidance about how to reach clients who feel chronically alienated and misunderstood.”

—Lois W. Choi-Kain, MD, MEd, Director, Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute, McLean Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School


“This volume offers a clear, accessible approach to mentalization, the capacity infusing our humanity and social world. With so many children and adults needing but unable to access mental health care, the authors make a compelling social justice plea—mental health professionals from multiple disciplines should learn the basic principles of mentalization-informed clinical care to make this efficacious, often life-changing treatment more widely available.”

—Linda Mayes, MD, Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology and Director, Yale Child Study Center


“Are you a clinician who keeps wondering what mentalizing is and whether you are ‘doing it’ with your patients but are never sure? If so, then, expert or novice, this is the book for you. In everyday language, the authors explain the concept of mentalizing, how it develops, and how to change your clinical practice to enhance mentalizing in your clients and yourself. The authors use research findings to underpin recommendations for clinical practice and provide simple take-home messages for effective mentalizing treatment in the consulting room. Abundant clinical examples and a carefully constructed dictionary of key terms and concepts help transform academic discourse into clinical reality.”

—Anthony W. Bateman, MA, FRCPsych, Visiting Professor, University College London, United Kingdom, and Copenhagen University, Denmark