Can a 'Mentalizing' therapy tame teen conduct disorders?

NCT ID NCT07181928

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two treatments for teens aged 12-19 with oppositional defiant or conduct disorders. One group gets mentalization-based therapy (MBT), which helps teens understand their own and others' thoughts and feelings. The other group gets standard psychiatric care plus emotion-focused parent training. The goal is to see which approach leads to more teens no longer meeting the diagnosis for their disorder.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) and Treatment-as-usual-plus (TAU-plus) (emotion-focused parent training with supportive child psychiatric care)

What this could lead to

If MBT works better, it could offer a more effective therapy option for teens with disruptive behavior disorders, reducing symptoms and improving family relationships.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small trial (90 participants) that hasn't started yet. The therapy is behavioral, so results may vary, and it may not work for everyone. There is no drug or cure involved.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

antisocial personality disorder conduct disorder oppositional defiant disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Institut für Psychosoziale Prävention, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

    Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, 69115, Germany

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••