ABSTRACT
Deficits in the ability to mentalize are a feature of all mental disorders. The work of Peter Fonagy and Anthony Batemen amongst others, has laid down an approach for Borderline Personality Disorder, in the form of Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT). The MBT therapists starts with validation of the others predicament, but explores with the patient the interweaving opposite poles. Training courses in MBT have been developed in the Anna Freud Centre, and at University College London (UCL). Karterud and Umes (2004) found a correlation between patient rating art therapy highest in treatment preference in a day hospital setting, with positive therapeutic outcomes. The Personality Disorder Service in which the author employed runs on the intensive out patient programme (IOPP) model. Art therapy was offered in addition to group and individual therapy. A pilot for time-limited art psychotherapy had places for six people of which four completed the programme.
