Mentalisierungsbasierte Gruppentherapie

Abstract

Summary Communicating from multiple perspectives is an integral part of psychodynamic group therapy and thus an ideal tool for enhancing mentalising and mentalising ability. However, in the case of people lacking in stable mentalising skills, the intensity, complexity and unpredictability of the group situation can spark severe reactions of fear and stress which counteract the developmental goal of mentalisation enhancement. For this reason, specific modifications of group treatment have been developed for patients with mentalisation deficits. One of the best described modifications is Mentalisation Based Group Therapy as part of Mentalisation Based Treatment. This paper describes the theory, the therapeutic stance and the technique of mentalisation based group therapy. Focussing on mentalising is not only suitable for patients with structural deficits and complex traumatic stress disorders but also for neuroses and patients showing acute symptoms of stress.