title: A mentalization-based approach to the development of the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of schizophrenia.
abstract: This article presents a clinical illustration of a mentalization-based approach to the development of a therapeutic alliance in the treatment of schizophrenia. A clinically focused overview of the attachment-based understanding of mentalization central to the mentalization-based treatment model is first provided. This is followed by a brief summary of the theory and evidence supporting the possible link between attachment disturbances and deficits of mental state understanding in schizophrenia. A case presentation then illustrates the application of core mentalization-based principles and interventions to enhance the therapeutic alliance by addressing disruptions of mentalization and reducing paranoia in the treatment of a patient with early course schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; The Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Benjamin K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Brent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attachment; mentalization; mentalization-based treatment; psychosis; schizophrenia