Certification Requirements
Certified MBT Therapist
Requirements for Mentalization Based Therapy certification are set forth by the Anna Freud Centre. The Mentalizing Initiative is approved by the Anna Freud Centre as one of the international training centres for MBT training and supervision. Courses and supervision sponsored by the Mentalizing Initiative satisfies certification requirements.
Certified MBT Therapist (Practitioner level) – Requirements:
- MBT practitioner trainees must have an existing qualification in a mental health profession, good knowledge of mental disorders, particularly personality disorder, and previous experience of conducting psychological therapy with individuals and/or groups.
- MBT practitioner trainees must read the MBT manual and have attended a 3-day basic introductory course
- Completion of AFC recognised 2 day MBT practitioner certificate course (formerly known as MBT Advanced course)
- Four individual patients or two groups, or two individual patients + one group, must be treated using MBT as the primary intervention for a minimum of 24 sessions.
- Participation in or working knowledge of MBT-Introductory group or Socialisation to MBT model in individual sessions
- Patients (minimum of 2 individuals or 1 group) should have a primary diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
- Supervision of the cases with a MBT supervisor certified by the Anna Freud Centre is required.
- Some sessions of each treatment must be recorded (video). If video is impractical, audio recording is acceptable if agreed with supervisor. A minimum of three 15 minute sections from different sessions from each treatment selected by the trainee will be submitted for formal review with reference to MBT competencies as outlined in the MBT training manual.
- Supervision should be conducted weekly initially either individually or in a group format. Each trainee must receive at least 4 hours supervision for each case.
- A reflective written statement must be produced on completion of each case.
- A satisfactory supervisor’s report must also be provided.
Level C – CPD for MBT Therapists:
- MBT therapists should carry an MBT caseload – at least 2 MBT cases per year.
- MBT therapists should receive ongoing supervision, at least monthly. This may be individual, peer group or via the telephone.
- MBT therapists should attend at least one MBT CPD event per year e.g. national/international conferences, workshop or course.
Ready to help?
The Mentalizing Initiative provides training for mental health clinicians that work with veterans, low-income communities, and other community mental health programs. You can help support us by donating or volunteering to assist in our programs.
