BASIC · Anna Freud Centre certified
MBT-A Training
A three-day introduction to MBT-A: the theory of mentalization and epistemic trust, the mentalizing stance, and the core interventions used with adolescents and their families. The training is a stepping stone into a longer pathway towards accreditation as an MBT-A practitioner.
Apply for this course →Is this for you?
A training for those who meet young people in difficult moments.
For anyone whose work brings them into contact with adolescents — psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses, physicians, teachers, social workers, police officers and student health staff are all welcome. No prior MBT experience is required.
Curriculum
Three days, step by step.
Theory, clinical examples and practical exercises woven together across three days in Oslo.
- Before the course
Pre-course preparation
One month before we begin you receive access to recorded lectures on mentalization theory together with short quizzes — a practical head start before the in-person days.
Watch lecture → - Day 1
Adolescent development and the mentalizing stance
An introduction to adolescent development and to the concepts of mentalization and epistemic trust. Theory is interleaved with role-play.
- Day 2
Interventions in difficult situations
Mentalization-based interventions in demanding situations: self-harm, loneliness, dissociation and suicidal ideation. Tools for psychoeducation with adolescents and parents, and work with the mentalizing profile, formulation and risk plan.
- Day 3
Structure of MBT and peer supervision
How to begin, conduct and end MBT. We also cover mentalization-based supervision and how colleagues can help one another stay in a mentalizing stance in everyday clinical work.
Course leader
Maria Svernell
Included
What your tuition covers.
- ·Pre-course video lectures and quizzes (released one month before)
- ·Morning coffee, lunch and afternoon coffee on all three days
- ·Course materials and certificate of completion
Accreditation pathway
From Basic Training to MBT-A Supervisor
The three-day Basic Training is the first step on a longer pathway. After completing it, participants can continue into supervision and, in time, towards becoming an accredited MBT-A supervisor.
- Step 1
Basic Training
Three days of theory, or four days when attending MBT-A/CD, clinical examples and role-play, led by accredited MBT-A trainers.
- Step 2
Supervision groups
After the Basic Training, supervision groups are formed, led by accredited MBT-A supervisors. Each participant presents six videotaped excerpts from at least two different adolescent cases, and takes an active part in colleagues' videotaped presentations. One case is the focus of each session, so the path to becoming an accredited MBT-A practitioner typically takes around 18 months.
- Step 3
Accreditation as MBT-A practitioner
To pass, besides being approved from the main supervisor on the presented videomaterial, one full therapy session with an adolescent must also be reviewed and approved by a second accredited MBT-A supervisor (cost 2 000 SEK excl. VAT).
- Cost
Supervision fee
Each supervision session with an accredited MBT-A supervisor costs 3 000 SEK excl. VAT, divided between the group members.
- Step 4
Becoming an MBT-A supervisor
Practitioners who wish to continue towards accreditation as an MBT-A supervisor are warmly invited to contact Maria Svernell to plan the next steps.
Registration
We look forward to meeting you.
The training runs over three full days, Winter 2027, 09:00 – 16:00 daily.
Tuition: 9 500 SEK excl. VAT
*Available to students enrolled on undergraduate programmes such as psychology, social work, medicine, nursing or teacher training. Registration is binding.