NEEDS STATEMENT

Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) is a therapeutic approach rooted in attachment theory and psychodynamic principles, focusing on enhancing individuals' capacity for mentalizing – the ability to understand and interpret one's own and others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions. MBT has been adapted for use with adolescents to address their unique developmental challenges and emotional needs. 
The Mentalization Based Treatment for Adolescents (MBT/A) Training offers participants a comprehensive platform to enhance their knowledge, refine their clinical skills, and elevate their practice in implementing MBT interventions with adolescents. This specialized training equips participants with the expertise needed to effectively apply MBT principles in their clinical work, fostering improved outcomes for individuals undergoing MBT treatment. The training encompasses a range of strategies and approaches that empower participants to facilitate mentalizing processes in both their clients and themselves.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is for psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed social workers

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this activity, the participants should be able to:

• Discuss the principles of mentalizing and epistemic trust, and how those capacities develop in children and adolescents in the context of attachment relationships.

• Describe the impact of adolescents' emerging mentalizing capacities on emotion regulation in their relationship with family, peers and society.

• Identify how family interactions can cause mentalizing breakdowns that may lead to impasse and/or coercive, self-reinforcing cycles that impede communication, problem-solving, and prosocial and adaptive behavior in general.

• Outline the empirically-supported strategies to help adolescents and their families regulate emotions, repair ruptured relationships, and strengthening feelings of belonging to enhance their mentalization capacities.

EDUCATIONAL METHODS

Lecture, small group breakout session, simulation, and skill-based training workshop.

EVALUATION

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.