If you fancy giving something a little new a try when it comes to BPD therapy treatment why not give Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) a chance. Unlike the shorter term CBT Therapy, this is more a long-term psychotherapy treatment that tries to help you think about thinking. While that might sound simple thinking without thinking (otherwise known as Cognitive Distortions) is one of the core signs of BPD, so this therapy can make a real difference especially when it comes to negative thinking. Let us take a deeper look into MBT and see if it is right for you…
What is Mentalization-based Therapy (MBT)?
The core of this therapy was founded in 2004 by Peter Fonagy and Anthony Bateman (coincidently both individuals have borderline personality disorder BPD) and it is designed to help those individuals make sense out of their own thoughts, beliefs, wishes and feelings. Then the therapy teaches you links between those thoughts and our actions. In short, it should help most individuals deal with everyday life. The main idea is you get the person to the point that they mentalize each thought from birth to action every time they are in certain situations.
Does Mentalization-based Therapy (MBT) Work?
One of the main problems with CBT is that it goes on for a set number of sessions which often results in the person not achieving their own goals before the end of the sessions, but with Mentalization-based treatment, it can go on for 12 to 18 months or even longer, or long enough so the programing gets given a chance to sink in. This makes it much better with those of us with BPD. But this is not a fast-acting treatment and needs to be long-term in order for it to work so if the individual quits or gets somehow discouraged before the course has ended it will appear to them to be pointless and not work.
How Can I Get Mentalization-based Therapy (MBT) Here in the UK?
Sadly not many local services offer this form of treatment, but you can always speak to your Community Mental Health Team (C.M.H.T.) to see if it something they can offer you. While it is not something on offer here in Wales, I know in the North of England it is more available. As with any mental health treatment on the NHS, you will have to push for it.
Paying privately is also a little bit of a sore point as the sessions tend to cost the same as DBT, but go on for much longer lengths of time. The good news is I have seen a group session of this lasting for 60 minuets+ for as little as £20 per-person which is a good deal if you ask me. But individual session do cost £40 on average all the way up to £1,500 as a general rule the more you pay the better trained the therapist or psychologist will be. So look around and see what is on offer in your local area.
As with any of these BPD treatments before you might need to try a combination of them before you find that winning combination, but do stick with it. If you want any help or advice relating to BPD do drop me an email via the contact us page and one of our writers will answer it ASAP.
