# Recent Innovations and Developmental Considerations in Mentalization‐Based Therapy for Adolescents: A Case Illustration

## TL;DR

This paper discusses recent updates to a therapy for adolescents with mental health issues, focusing on how it can help more diverse groups of young people.

## Contribution

The paper introduces three innovations to MBT-A that broaden its application to new populations and contexts.

## Key findings

- MBT-A can be adapted using a dimensional model of psychopathology.
- Mentalizing is effective as a transdiagnostic factor in adolescent psychotherapy.
- Considering the social context outside therapy improves treatment outcomes.

## Abstract

Mentalization‐based therapy for adolescents (MBT‐A) is a treatment modality with an evidence base for young people struggling with borderline personality disorder, depression, and self‐harm. Recently, several innovations to MBT‐A have been described to expand its utility to new populations. In this paper, we first describe the basic structure of MBT‐A and its interventions. Second, we describe developmental considerations of working with adolescents. Third, we describe recent innovations to MBT‐A which expand its utility to new populations: (1) nosological reform toward a dimensional model of psychopathology, (2) mentalizing as a transdiagnostic factor for all adolescents receiving psychotherapy regardless of specific disorder or treatment modality, and (3) an explicit focus on the social context of the adolescent outside of the therapy room. We use case material to demonstrate the basic MBT‐A structure and highlight the recent innovations which expand its utility.