What is MBT Therapy?
MBT stands for Mentalization-Based Treatment. It is a talking therapy that helps you understand what is going on in your own mind, and in the minds of the people around you. When we understand why we feel the way we do, and why other people behave the way they do, our relationships get calmer and we react less on impulse. MBT was developed by leading psychologists and is recommended by NICE as an effective treatment for personality difficulties and relationship problems.
Making sense of minds
We all try to understand why people do what they do, including ourselves. But when we are stressed, upset, or in conflict, that ability can switch off. We stop being curious and start reacting. MBT helps you get that ability back, so that even in difficult moments, you can pause, reflect, and choose how to respond.
01
Observe
Notice what you are feeling and what is happening between you and someone else.
02
Pause
Create space between the feeling and your response instead of reacting straight away.
03
Imagine
Consider what might be going on for the other person and why they acted that way.
04
Perspectives
Explore different explanations: stress, fear, a misunderstanding, or something else.
05
Understand
Build a fuller picture so you can respond with clarity, not impulse.
How it works
Up to three sessions with an MBT therapist to explore your difficulties, understand your goals, and confirm MBT is the right fit for you.
Up to six weekly individual sessions introducing the core ideas of MBT, setting your personal goals, and preparing you to join the group.
From this point, individual and group sessions run together every week. Both are required — this is how MBT works, and why it’s effective.
Regular check-ins to track progress and adjust your plan. Most people are in MBT for 12–18 months, building lasting change at the right pace.
The programme
What you'll cover
Understanding Yourself
Learning to notice your own thoughts and feelings, especially when things get heated
Reading Other People
Getting better at understanding what others might be thinking or feeling, without jumping to conclusions
Emotions & Reactions
Recognising what sets you off and creating space between the feeling and your response
Relationship Patterns
Spotting the cycles that keep causing trouble in your relationships, and how to break them
Trust & Connection
Understanding how past experiences shape your relationships today, and building more secure connections
Frequently asked questions
Both are recommended by NICE and proven to help. DBT teaches you specific skills in a structured programme, like mindfulness and managing difficult emotions. MBT is more exploratory: it helps you understand why you react the way you do and what is going on in other people's minds. Some people do one, some do both at different stages. We will help you work out which is right for you.
Most people are in MBT for 12 to 18 months. It is a therapy that works at the pace you need, building deep, lasting change rather than quick fixes. We review your progress regularly so you always know how things are going.
No. MBT helps with a wide range of difficulties, including relationship problems, emotional reactions, trust issues, and more. You do not need a formal diagnosis to start. We will have an initial conversation to see if MBT is a good fit for you.
Yes. Most of our therapists offer sessions online via Zoom, as well as in person at our London locations in King's Cross and Islington. Online therapy works just as well as face-to-face.
Some people move from DBT into MBT for deeper work on relationships, and MBT can sit well alongside other approaches over time. However, while you are attending the MBT programme, we ask that you focus on MBT rather than combining it with another therapy. Your therapist will talk you through the best pathway for your situation.
Your therapist will ask about real situations from your week, especially moments where things felt difficult with other people. Together you will slow down and explore what was going on: what you were thinking, what the other person might have been thinking, and what happened as a result. Over time, you will get much better at understanding these moments as they happen.
Ready to find out more?
Get in touch by email to arrange an assessment. You do not need a referral, though we welcome referral letters from professionals such as your psychiatrist, CMHT, GP, or a previous therapist.
Get in touch