Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children (MBT-C) - A Time-Limited Approach

"What I liked the most is the open, curious, interested, close and empathetic attitude of the teachers, they made the trip one full of closeness and learning." Participant, June 2023

"I thought the trainers were fantastic engaging and content. The group discussions were useful and had a breadth of knowledge, experience and variety. I thought the course was going to be only UK attendees so it was lovely to have people from all over the world taking part - really nice surprise." Participant, October 2023

"I like the break out group discussion and activity in the class. It makes learning fun and wide open to different experiences." Participant, October 2023

This training assumes a foundational understanding of mentalization. Prior to the MBT-A training, completion of the self-guided online training “An Introduction to Mentalizing and Mentalization Based Treatments with Children, Young People and Families” (MBT CYP) is mandatory.

Access to MBT CYP, a flexible six-hour self-directed course featuring short videos, presentations, and activities, will be provided one month before your MBT-A training begins. Covering vital topics such as the importance of mentalizing, effective and ineffective mentalizing, and its relevance in childhood, adolescence, and family contexts, MBT CYP establishes the theoretical groundwork essential for maximising your experience in the MBT-A training.

If, for any reason, you require access to the training sooner than one month prior to the training start date, please let us know and we will be able to grant you access. 

After completing the online Introduction to MBT CYP training and the MBT-C training you will have a sound understanding of mentalizing theory and its practice with school-age children and parents. You’ll have developed a range of skills in assessment and case formulation for children aged 5-12 and in using a time-limited mentalizing approach with children and parents. We hope you will be able to bring this knowledge to your current practice, whatever setting you are working on.

For those who want to be registered as an MBT-C practitioner, ongoing support and supervision will be important. This will help you to continue to develop your skills in implementing MBT-C techniques and support your ability to hold a mentalizing stance in working with children and parents. If you’d like to be recognised as an MBT-C practitioner, supervision with an MBT-C approved supervisor on two cases is essential.  

You can access individual or group supervision with an approved MBT-C supervisor through online supervision groups with Anna Freud.

Email our training team with the following information: your name; preferred language; and the MBT- model you’d like supervision in. A member of the training team will email you back with upcoming dates, times and fees for any current and future online supervision groups you might join.

After you have had some experience in delivering MBT-C along with supervision with an MBT-C approved supervisor, you might be interested in having your efforts recognised and joining a growing group of professionals internationally who have achieved MBT-C practitioner status. Below are the requirements for achieving MBT- C practitioner status.

• Have a pre-existing professional qualification, e.g. - as a counsellor, psychologist, social worker, family therapist, play therapist, arts therapist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist working with children;

• Have read the MBT-C manual and attended an approved MBT-C introductory training (3 days or equivalent);

• Have had at least 6 individual (or 10 group) supervisions on a 

  minimum of two MBT- cases (one child, and one parent - or for those who only want to be registered for working with parents only, two parent cases). Supervision should be with someone from the list of approved MBT-C supervisors. At least one case needs to be video/audio recorded and supervision offered based on those recordings. If the supervisions are in group, the practitioner's own work needs to be presented at least 6 times;

• With the supervisor's written agreement, to forward a minimum of 

  one tape of an MBT-C session with a child (or parent), together with a brief case formulation and reflective commentary on the session, to be reviewed by an MBT-C supervisor (not the same person who supervised cases) and approved as demonstrating core elements of mentalizing stance and mentalizing practice for MBT-C. Please see case formulation and reflective commentary submission guidelines 

  here. If not approved, the reviewer will provide written feedback on areas for further development and provide recommendations re: minimum supervised practice needed before the practitioner can re-submit.

Once approved, MBT-C practitioner names will be listed on Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families list of registered MBT-C practitioners. Once you reach MBT-C practitioner status you are encouraged to continue with CPD, in order to maintain and promote standards. You are encouraged to carry an MBT-C caseload (at least 2 cases per year), and should receive regular supervision or join a peer-supervision group with other MBT-C practitioners, and have the opportunity to present their own work to this group at least three times per year. Practitioners are also encouraged to attend conferences, courses and read relevant papers that will help to develop their MBT-C practice.

Please see here to download a form to complete for practitioner status. After receiving your form, you will be issued with a certificate and your name will be added to the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families list of registered MBT-C practitioners.

After you have had some experience in delivering MBT-C along with supervision with an MBT-C approved supervisor, you might be interested in having your efforts recognised and joining a growing group of professionals internationally who have achieved MBT-C practitioner status. Below are the requirements for achieving MBT- C practitioner status.

• Have a pre-existing professional qualification, e.g. - as a counsellor, psychologist, social worker, family therapist, play therapist, arts therapist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist working with children;

• Have read the MBT-C manual and attended an approved MBT-C introductory training (3 days or equivalent);

• Have had at least 6 individual (or 10 group) supervisions on a 

  minimum of two MBT- cases (one child, and one parent - or for those who only want to be registered for working with parents only, two parent cases). Supervision should be with someone from the list of approved MBT-C supervisors. At least one case needs to be video/audio recorded and supervision offered based on those recordings. If the supervisions are in group, the practitioner's own work needs to be presented at least 6 times;

• With the supervisor's written agreement, to forward a minimum of 

  one tape of an MBT-C session with a child (or parent), together with a brief case formulation and reflective commentary on the session, to be reviewed by an MBT-C supervisor (not the same person who supervised cases) and approved as demonstrating core elements of mentalizing stance and mentalizing practice for MBT-C. Please see case formulation and reflective commentary submission guidelines 

  here. If not approved, the reviewer will provide written feedback on areas for further development and provide recommendations re: minimum supervised practice needed before the practitioner can re-submit.

Once approved, MBT-C practitioner names will be listed on Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families list of registered MBT-C practitioners. Once you reach MBT-C practitioner status you are encouraged to continue with CPD, in order to maintain and promote standards. You are encouraged to carry an MBT-C caseload (at least 2 cases per year), and should receive regular supervision or join a peer-supervision group with other MBT-C practitioners, and have the opportunity to present their own work to this group at least three times per year. Practitioners are also encouraged to attend conferences, courses and read relevant papers that will help to develop their MBT-C practice.

Please see here to download a form to complete for practitioner status. After receiving your form, you will be issued with a certificate and your name will be added to the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families list of registered MBT-C practitioners.

The online platform Zoom will be used to deliver this training. Prior to booking on, please ensure you meet the system requirements so you're able to join this training. Before the training, please test your equipment is working by going to Zoom.us/test and follow the instructions.