Abstract
Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) reflects specific features and demands of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The capacity to think of oneself and others from the mental states perspective and relates to the mind is a complex process that is disturbed also in unusual life circumstances in individuals not suffering from mental illness.
The paper focuses on the MBT approach, key treatment principles and its use in the treatment of BPD. The case study sample illustrates specific competencies learned by the therapist in order to recover his and patient's lost capacity to mentalize, mainain mentalization in the course of treatment and enhance its resilience against switching off in the interpersonal context.
Identification of pre-mentalistic states of patient and therapist enables modification of therapeutic interventions.