ABSTRACT
A number of elements in the practice of mentalization-based child therapy require specific attention. This chapter discusses the practical aspects of treatment and the practical agreements to be made. This refers to becoming acquainted with the treatment and the setting–for instance, the frequency, the therapy room, and the toys and play material available. Mentalization-based child therapy is an entirely new field of treatment, and there is as yet no international agreement about the indicated frequency. Children in mentalization-based child therapy often have difficulty making such a switch. For some children, such as those with Asperger's syndrome, the assessment situation offers more to go on. In mentalization-based child therapy, the countertransference feelings are also seen as broader, as empathic answers that arise as the therapist moves along with the child. Setting boundaries is only necessary if the child seems to challenge the rules of the therapy in order to avoid too much anxiety.
