Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) Explained: Practical Techniques to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD & Narcissism

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) Explained: Practical Techniques to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD & Narcissism

July 29, 2026 · 1h 29m

About this episode

Dr. David Puder discusses practical Mentalization-Based Therapy techniques with Robert Drozek to improve clinical outcomes in BPD, OCD, and narcissism.

In this episode, Dr. David Puder speaks with Robert Drozek, clinical director of the Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) Clinic at McLean Hospital and teaching associate at Harvard Medical School, about practical Mentalization-Based Therapy techniques to improve clinical outcomes in borderline personality disorder (BPD), OCD, and narcissism. Drozek explains the "What, Why, and How" model of mentalizing, how to address psychic equivalence (rigid certainty), pretend mode, and teleological thinking, and offers concrete strategies clinicians can use in session and assign as between-session work to help patients reconnect with difficult emotions, reduce intellectualization, and develop more flexible, reflective ways of understanding themselves and others. Link to blog Link to YouTube video

People in this episode

Host: David Puder, M.D.

Guest: Robert Drozek

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) Clinic, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School

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