Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children

"Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children, Second Edition stands as a compelling articulation of how reflective functioning and mentalization can be cultivated in children whose early relational experiences have disrupted their capacity to make sense of minds—their own and those of others. Grounded in developmental and psychodynamic theory, and animated by careful clinical attention, this volume shows how thoughtfully held therapeutic relationships can restore meaning and emotional coherence, and encourages psychological growth. It is an indispensable work for clinicians committed to igniting children's curiosities about their internal worlds in the service of relationship building and repair." - Miriam Steele, PhD, Alfred J. and Monette C. Marrow Professor in Psychology, New School for Social Research, New York, NY, United States

"I very warmly recommend this book to clinicians, and to anyone interested in learning about helping troubled children. It is very clearly written and organized, with reference to the broader background of theory and work with adults, and presents the great progress made in working with children, since the first edition. The authors are international leaders in this field, and this book is a major contribution." - Mary Hepworth (formerly Mary Target), PhD, Professor, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom

"This second edition offers a wonderfully nonstigmatizing and deeply respectful look into the inner worlds of children, especially at a time when COVID's aftereffects and rapid technological change make reflective thinking harder to sustain. The authors bring the model to life through rich case studies and thoughtful attention to cultural context, giving clinicians a clear and robust framework they can trust. It's a timely, humane, and genuinely practical guide for anyone who wants to help children reclaim their capacity to make sense of themselves and others." - Francine Conway, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States

"This inspiring second edition of Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children transforms cutting-edge science into a practical, developmentally attuned response to today's urgent child and family mental health needs. It stands out through its vibrant synthesis of developmental theory, attachment research, mentalization-based treatment scholarship, and the realities of everyday clinical work—all held within a flexible and evidence-informed framework. With its focus on the building blocks of mentalizing, the role of parents, and time-limited goals, this manual becomes an indispensable resource for clinicians committed to nurturing children's emotional growth and resilience." - Nicole Vliegen, PhD, clinical psychologist and psychodynamic child psychotherapist; Professor of Clinical Psychology, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium

"This book provides a very clear, well-organized, and integrated presentation of how and why to practice a brief, structured approach of mentalization-based treatment with children. It demonstrates the utility of a developmental approach to therapy and is brought to life with vivid examples. It should be an invaluable resource to any clinician or educator involved in the care of children." - Efrain Bleiberg, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Educational Consultant, Houston Center for Psychoanalytic Studies