MBT Basic Training for BPD (3-days)

Mentalizing refers to our ability to attend to mental states in ourselves and in others as we attempt to understand our own actions and those of others on the basis of intentional mental states. A focus on this very human activity as a therapeutic intervention forms the core of Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT). This psychological therapy approach developed by Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy is particularly effective for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and is now being used on a wide range of mental health disorders.

Spectrum is proud to be able to deliver the MBT Basic Training in Melbourne, Australia. The MBT Basic Training serves as the essential foundation for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in the treatment of personality disorders. The workshop is accredited by the prestigious Anna Freud Centre, which has played a crucial role in advancing the understanding and application of MBT.

Spectrum’s MBT Basic Training is accredited and recognised by the Anna Freud Centre as the first component of their formal training program to become an accredited practitioner in MBT as follows:

1. MBT Basic training workshop delivered by Spectrum MBT practitioners.

2. Supervision with an MBT Practitioner

3. MBT Certificate workshop for practitioner level.

(For more information on the Anna Freud Centre MBT training program, please refer to their website here).

1. Applicants for the MBT Basic Training must meet the following entry requirements:

2. They should be qualified health professionals such as Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Clinical/Counselling Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Social Workers, Psychotherapists etc.

3. They will have a minimum of 1 years’ experience working therapeutically with people with personality disorder in teams or in individual or group work.

4. They will have undertaken supervised practice and be committed to professional standards and practice within an ethical framework.

5. It is desirable that they have personal experience of psychotherapy or counselling.

Dr Julian Nesci is a senior clinical psychologist and accredited MBT practitioner and supervisor. His work with Spectrum includes direct delivery of MBT in group and individual formats, as well as Complex Care Service consultation and treatment for consumers, carers, clinicians and services. Julian also has a background in working with severe eating disorders, and together with his colleagues he is advancing Spectrum’s MBT program accreditation with the Anna Freud Centre in London.

Andrew Mottram is a senior clinical psychologist and accredited MBT practitioner and supervisor. He holds broad experience in working with complex and severe personality disorder across several therapeutic modalities including ACT and DBT, focusing solely on MBT since 2016. His work with Spectrum includes Complex Care Service consultation and treatment as well as the delivery of MBT to both groups and individuals. Andrew is passionate about this treatment approach and the value it holds for both consumers and clinicians.

Dr Alex Potter is a senior clinical psychologist and MBT therapist. He has experience working with clients with complex personality disorders in community, forensic and private practice settings. At Spectrum he is a member of both the MBT team - running groups and working with individual clients – and a member of the Complex Care Service providing treatment and consultation. Alex sees MBT as a dynamic and flexible modality for working with people with personality disorders.

Dr Fiona Donald is a clinical psychologist at Spectrum within the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) teams. Fiona has a particular interest in the lived experience of BPD treatment and is currently co-investigating the experience of MBT from consumers’ perspectives.

Who should attend? This workshop is suitable for mental health and other professionals who are interested in the treatment of personality disorder and who also meet the entry requirements (see above).

Cost: $875 (payable by credit card only).

Lunch: A light lunch, morning and afternoon tea including a vegetarian selection is provided.

Getting to Spectrum: Spectrum is located at 110 Church Street, on the corner of Church Street and Tweedie Place. Entrance is via the front of the building, to the right of the Skoda car dealership.

Public transport:

• Tram 78 on Church Street. Alight at Tweedie Pl/Church Street (Stop 63).
• Tram 109 on Victoria Parade (about a 5 min walk to 110 Church Street)
• Tram 75 on Bridge Rd (about a 7 min walk to 110 Church Street)

Car parking:

There is very limited 2 hour street parking available in the area. All day parking is available in:

• 35 Elizabeth Street, Richmond – 11 minute walk (about $16 a day)
• 1 Allowah Terrace, Richmond – 12 minute walk (about $15/day)
• Doonside St, Richmond – 14 minute walk (about $10/day
• 679 Victoria St, Abbotsford, Australia – 20 minute walk (about $10 a day)

Cancellation policy: If your circumstances change and you no longer can attend this event, please log into your Eventbrite account and cancel your ticket and request a refund no later than one (1) week prior to the event. A refund will not be issued if notification has not been received within this time frame and you will be required to pay for the event.

General enquiries: Email [email protected] or phone Spectrum (03) 8413 8750.

C ovid-19 update: To ensure a COVIDsafe event, please do not attend if you:

• Show symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath
• Have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and released from self-isolation on day 5 or day 6
• Are a close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case

Host or Publisher Spectrum Personality Disorder Service for Victoria