Lighthouse mentalization based treatment for parents
The Lighthouse mentalization based treatment for parents (MBT-P) programme is a manualised intervention developed specifically for parents experiencing complex difficulties. It is an adaptation of the evidence-based MBT model and includes individual therapy and group psychoeducation. The programme aims to help parents to mentalize better about themselves and their children, especially in difficult moments, thus strengthening the parent-child relationship, improving parental sensitivity to the child’s needs and reducing the risk of harm to the child.
A pilot evaluation demonstrated positive initial outcomes in terms of parenting confidence and parental sensitivity. Qualitative interviews showed that most parents found the intervention to be “life changing”. Several larger studies and randomised controlled trials of the Lighthouse MBT programme are now underway in the UK and elsewhere (see the Supporting Parents Project).