%0 Journal Article
%T Mentalizing and group psychotherapy: a novel treatment for antisocial personality disorder
%J American journal of psychotherapy
%D 2021
%A Bateman, Anthony W.
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a common condition associated with interpersonal and social violence, and current treatments are unsatisfactory. Mentalizing, which has developmental roots in attachment processes, offers a framework to reconsider treatment for ASPD, in which dysfunction of the attachment system temporarily inhibits affect regulation and reduces mentalizing abilities, resulting in impulsivity and relational reactivity. Mentalization-based treatment for ASPD (MBT-ASPD), which focuses on the mental and relational processes central to personality disorder rather than on anger management and violent behavior, is a promising intervention. Implemented as a group psychotherapy, MBT-ASPD targets the mentalizing vulnerabilities and attachment patterns of patients by using a semi-structured group process focused on personal formulation and by establishing group values to promote learning from other members and generating "we-ness." The treatment then emphasizes mentalizing in relationships. This article discusses the mentalizing model of ASPD and outlines strategies for MBT-ASPD from a therapy group conducted in Great Britain.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
%@ 0002-9564
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210023