Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)

What Is Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)? Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is a structured psychotherapy developed primarily for borderline personality disorder that focuses on improving “mentalizing,” or the capacity to understand one’s own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions, particularly during emotionally intense moments. How It Works MBT is based on the idea that difficulties in mentalizing, often …

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)

What Is Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP)? Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is a structured, manualized psychodynamic psychotherapy developed primarily for borderline and other personality disorders, which uses the relationship between client and therapist (transference) as a central tool for identifying and working through distorted relational patterns. How It Works TFP is grounded in object relations theory, proposing that …

Schema Therapy

What Is Schema Therapy? Schema therapy is an integrative form of psychotherapy that combines elements of cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, attachment, and experiential approaches to identify and address deep-rooted, self-defeating life patterns, often called “schemas,” typically formed in childhood. How It Works Schema therapy proposes that unmet core emotional needs in childhood can lead to the …

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based psychotherapy originally developed for chronic suicidality and borderline personality disorder. It combines standard cognitive behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness, acceptance, and distress tolerance, balancing the goals of accepting oneself as one is while working toward meaningful change. How It Works …