Mentalisation-based treatment for borderline personality disorder: a narrative review of recent process and outcome findings

Abstract

This article presents a narrative review of recent process and outcome studies of mentalisation-based treatment (MBT) for borderline personality disorder (BPD). The author introduces the theoretical origins of mentalisation, its role in BPD, and the therapeutic approach of MBT. Quantitative and qualitative findings are then reviewed and critically appraised for their methodological strengths and limitations. The review finds that BPD patients benefit from the multicomponent structure and active ingredients of MBT. Finally, practical implications are discussed and directions for future research are proposed.

Keywords:

• Borderline personality disorder
• mentalisation-based treatment
• review
• outcome studies
• process studies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bailey Wolfs

Bailey Wolfs is a crisis counsellor at the Canadian Mental Health Association and master’s student working towards licensure as a psychotherapist in the province of Ontario, Canada. He currently holds a BA (hons) in psychology and philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, a Graduate Certificate in addiction and mental health studies from Confederation College, and has completed a one-year essentials program at the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis. Bailey is interested in the psychodynamic treatment of personality disorders and hopes to undergo formal analytic training in the future.