Recent Innovations and Developmental Considerations in Mentalization‐Based Therapy for Adolescents: A Case Illustration

Mentalization-based therapy for adolescents (MBT-A) is a treatment modality with an evidence base for young people struggling with borderline personality disorder, depression, and self-harm. Recently, several innovations to MBT-A have been described to expand its utility to new populations. In this paper, we first describe the basic structure of MBT-A and its interventions. Second, we describe developmental considerations of working with adolescents. Third, we describe recent innovations to MBT-A which expand its utility to new populations: (1) nosological reform toward a dimensional model of psychopathology, (2) mentalizing as a transdiagnostic factor for all adolescents receiving psychotherapy regardless of specific disorder or treatment modality, and (3) an explicit focus on the social context of the adolescent outside of the therapy room. We use case material to demonstrate the basic MBT-A structure and highlight the recent innovations which expand its utility.