Using Mentalization Based Therapy to Support Children and Adolescents Referred to Specialist Mental Health Services in the NHS for Aggressive and/or Violent Behaviour

Launched by ANNA FREUD · Jul 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at a new type of support called Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) to help children and teenagers who have been referred to specialist mental health services because of aggressive or violent behavior. MBT helps young people understand their own feelings and actions, as well as those of others, which may help them reduce aggressive behavior. The research will take place in England within services that support some of the most vulnerable young people, including those who may be involved with the youth justice system.

Young people aged 10 to 17 who show signs of aggression or violence and who are referred to these specialist services may be invited to take part. Those who join will either receive the usual support or the usual support plus MBT for six months. They will complete questionnaires before and after the six months to see how they’re doing. Some may also be asked to share their thoughts in an interview. Participation is voluntary, and choosing not to take part won’t affect the care they receive. This study aims to find out if adding MBT to the usual care can better help young people manage their aggressive behavior.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 10-17 years at the time of referral;
• • Aggression and/or violence are indicated at referral or assessment;
• • Participation in the evaluation would not interfere with statutory orders;
• • Child and parent/carer (for children 10-15 years) are able to consent and engage with the study materials;
• • Living in the community at time of referral and no imminent plans to move to hospital, residential, or secure settings.
• Additional inclusion criteria for participants recruited from a clinician's existing caseload:
• • There has been no direct contact between child and FCAMHS clinicians, including assessments.
• • There has been no indirect therapeutic support provided by FCAMHS e.g. advising non-FCAMHS professionals on therapeutic support.
• • It is permissible for the clinician to have previously engaged in consultation activities where these did not involve contact with the child.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age under 10 or age 18 or older at the time of referral;
• • No evidence of aggression and/or violence indicated at referral or assessment;
• • FCAMHS are only offering a one-off consultation or assessment (e.g., the network around the child requires support to manage risk but additional input is not required);
• • Child's level of English is not sufficient to engage in the intervention;
• • Child and/or parents/carers refuse to engage with FCAMHS;
• • No statutory service is involved in supporting the child;
• • No statutory service will agree to hold the child's case open for a minimum of six months.
• • Currently involved in another psychological intervention research study.