MBT Skills in Action

Oct 8, 2025
3 min read

Updated: May 2

Following the successful workshop in December exploring the theoretical foundations of Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) and its links with group and individual therapy, we are pleased to offer a further opportunity to develop MBT skills in action.

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Workshop Overview

This one-day workshop is designed as an experiential learning opportunity, with a strong focus on applying MBT principles within a therapy context. It is particularly suited to clinicians who are interested in deepening their understanding of how mentalizing processes operate, and how MBT interventions can be used effectively in real-time clinical situations.

Date: Saturday, 13th June 2026

Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Location: The Institute of Group Analysis, London

About The Speakers:

Mirek Boniecki is a Group Analytic Psychotherapist and Clinical Lead for MBT at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. He has many years of experience working in the NHS across different teams and services, including psychotherapy, eating disorders, and personality disorders, as well as supervising clinical teams delivering MBT and SCM.

Mirek is a qualified supervisor through the Institute of Group Analysis and Anna Freud. He completed the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme at the NHS Leadership Academy and obtained an MSc in Leadership in Healthcare. He is interested in coproduction, organisational dynamics and how mentalising working systems can contribute to delivering person-centred and collaborative care.

Alex Tagg has worked in the NHS for the past 20 years after completing her Group Analytic training. She retired in September from her Consultant post in the Personality Disorder service in Berkshire, where she had previously been Clinical Lead in MBT and part of the Psychologically Informed Consultation and Training Team. Alex worked for 10 years in the Therapeutic Community in Berkshire and prior to this spent many years in the third sector and in private practice as a clinician, supervisor and trainer.

This Workshop Aims to:

Support participants to translate MBT theory into clinical practice within their clinical practice
Increase confidence in recognising and responding to non-mentalizing stances
Develop awareness of group dynamics through an MBT lens
Promote reflective thinking about the therapist’s role in supporting mentalizing under relational stress

What the day will involve:

Structured group exercises
Facilitated reflective discussions
Opportunities to observe and reflect on mentalizing processes as they emerge
Space to consider participants’ own responses, positions, and challenges within groups
Rather than focusing primarily on didactic teaching, the emphasis will be on learning through participation, curiosity, and reflection, consistent with core MBT principles.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is suitable for:

Clinicians currently delivering or training in MBT
Psychologists, psychotherapists and other mental health proefessionals interested in incorporating an MBT framework in their clinical practice

Participants should have basic familiarity with MBT concepts, as this workshop builds on foundational knowledge rather than introducing MBT from scratch. However, a recap of basic MBT theory will be provided on a day.

What Participants Will Gain

By the end of the day, participants are likely to:

Have a richer understanding of how mentalizing fluctuates and influences therapeutic relationships
Feel more able to notice and name non-mentalizing modes in the moment
Reflect on how their own mentalizing impacts therapy process
Develop increased confidence in thinking about interventions that support shared mentalizing

Learning Environment

The workshop will be facilitated in a way that reflects MBT values:

A focus on psychological safety
Curiosity rather than certainty
Attention to affect, relationships, and meaning
Respect for different perspectives and lived experience

Fees

IGA students: £40
IGA members: £50
Public: £60

Spaces are limited (maximum 30 participants). Early booking is advised.

Importance of Mentalization in Therapy

Mentalization is a crucial skill for therapists. It involves understanding one's own and others' mental states. This understanding can significantly enhance therapeutic relationships. By improving mentalization skills, therapists can foster a deeper connection with their clients. This connection is vital for effective therapy.

In group settings, mentalization can help participants understand each other's perspectives. This understanding promotes empathy and collaboration. By learning to mentalize, therapists can create a more supportive environment for their clients.