Abstr Abstract actThe mentalization based treatment (MBT) model may be a valuable theoretical perspective for music therapists to consider using with clients in need of mental health care, particularly those with borderline personality disorder. This article explores some of the basic principles of MBT and its application to music therapy. We have included a case study and reflections for further consideration. It is our hope that music therapists will begin to incorporate this model within their treatment and care of clients with psychiatric disorders. K Ke eywor ywords: ds: mentalization based treatment, borderline personality disorder
Intr Introduction oductionA woman was playing an improvisation together with me (NH), her music therapist. It was our first session. She was in her 40s. She was slim, well-dressed with makeup and hair in order, and not very tall. She seemed calm and appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary. In the first session, she quickly told me about a traumatic loss of her fiancé who died in an accident 20 years ago. She presented this loss with no emotion and still gave me the impression that she had not yet processed this traumatic event. After talking some more, we engaged in playing an improvisation together on two separate pianos facing one another. She played one note at a time, simply playing like there was only the next note. I accompanied her note while playing a stable grounding rhythm, a few notes, and sometimes some simple chords. There was little progression in the music. Then, the music began to form, a simple melody coming from her, and a simple harmonic ground coming from the therapist, added to a stable pulse. The music had an emotional quality, quiet, maybe sad, or even peaceful. She stopped and said it was peaceful. She associated being at peace with being dead, and suddenly the process of therapy took a new turn. The intimacy level changed. What were only tones on a piano became a wish to die. The intensity of the emotions in this newly formed relationship with the therapist was almost overwhelming, and for the following weeks and months engaging in music became difficult and threatening for her. What happened? How can we understand this process?