Comparing Mentalization-based Treatment And A Dialectical Behavior Therapy-inspired Treatment On The Utilization Of Services And The Dropout Rate In A Clinical Adult Population With A Cluster B Personality Disorder

An empirically-validated intervention for personality disorders based on the attachment theory and on knowledge from developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience (Bateman and Fonagy, 2004). Patients assist psychoeducative group meetings beforehand, along with a pretreatment of four to six individual meetings (over four to eight weeks), followed by bi-weekly individual follow-ups and weekly group follow-ups. The treatment lasts two years. Patients have an assessment meeting with their individual therapist and one of the group therapists at the end of each session. Psychiatric follow-up appointments are on an as-needed basis and every patient has a treatment contract with specific and measurable treatment objectives.

A psychotherapy developed by M. Linehan for patients with borderline personality disorder that combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (emotional regulation, practical exercises) with Buddhist meditation principles (stress tolerance, acceptance, open-mindedness) (Linehan, M. M. \& Dimeff, L., 2001). As opposed to Linehan's model, individual meetings are bi-weekly, no emergency phone service is offered, the mindful meditation module is reorganized into life habits modules, and every module includes mindfulness exercises. Patients assist psychoeducative group meetings beforehand, along with a pre-treatment of 4-6 individual meetings (over 4-8 weeks), followed by bi-weekly individual follow-ups and weekly group follow-ups. The treatment lasts one year, but can be extended to two years for eligible patients who are interested. Psychiatric follow-up appointments are on an as-needed basis. Every every patient has a treatment contract with specific and measurable treatment objectives.