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A1

English

Workshop: MBT-Trauma Focused: an introductory workshop

Anthony Bateman, professor, psykiater, psykoanalytiker. Anna Freud Centre och University College London, Storbritannien.

Trauma-Focused Mentalization-based Treatment (MBT-TF) is an adaptation of MBT specifically developed for patients suffering from attachment or complex trauma who also have co-occurring borderline personality pathology. It was developed because there is indicative evidence that symptoms of complex trauma decrease the effectiveness of MBT, although only to a limited extent, and observations that effectiveness of interventions centered on mentalizing could be significantly improved by directly addressing the impact of trauma. MBT-TF aims to mitigate symptoms that arise post-trauma, such as hyperarousal, hypervigilance, intrusions, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, automatic mental avoidance with dissociative experiences, negative perceptions of self and others, and the consequential relational difficulties. Implemented as a group intervention, MBT-TF typically spans 9-12 months. From a mentalizing perspective, trauma, particularly attachment trauma, leads to a failure in processing the effects of trauma through and with others. The individual is no longer able to socially reference their trauma and is alone. Stress and attachment behavioral systems are disrupted, which undermines the capacity for epistemic trust, and impairs mentalizing abilities. This workshop will outline the mentalizing approach to trauma and discuss clinical strategies for addressing the adverse impacts of trauma. Treatment phases, their main goals, and interventions, supplemented by clinical case examples and some video will illustrate the modifications of the core MBT model to address current symptoms of trauma.

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