Learning the subtle dance: the experience of therapists who deliver mentalisation-based therapy for borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to understand therapists’ lived experiences of delivering mentalisation-based therapy (MBT), including their experiences of service user change.
Method: One-to-one semi-structured interviews or focus groups were conducted with 14 MBT therapists and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
Results: Four superordinate themes were identified: 1) experiencing the challenges and complexities of being with service users during MBT; 2) being on a journey of discovery and change; 3) being an MBT therapist: a new way of working and developing a new therapeutic identity; and 4) being a therapist in the group: seeing it all come together
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the complexity, challenges and individualised experience of working therapeutically with service users with a diagnosis of BPD. The study provides a perspective of service use change that is enriched by idiosyncrasies within the therapeutic encounter. We conclude with a consideration of implications for MBT research and clinical practice.