Mary Target
- Born:
- October 27, 1943, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Psychoanalyst, Clinical Psychologist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Earned a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1965.
- Received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972.
- Completed psychoanalytic training at the Anna Freud Centre in London.
Career and Major Achievements
- Fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society.
- Professor of Psychoanalysis at University College London (UCL).
- Consultant to the Child and Family Department at the Tavistock Clinic.
- Known for her work on mentalization-based treatment (MBT), particularly in relation to borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma.
- Developed MBT with Peter Fonagy.
Notable Works
- Co-authored extensively with Peter Fonagy.
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Psychoanalytic Theories: Perspectives from Developmental Psychopathology | 2003 | With Peter Fonagy |
| Attachment Theory and Psychoanalysis | 2001 | With Peter Fonagy, George Gergely, and Elliot Jurist |
| Affect Regulation, Mentalization and the Development of the Self | 2002 | With Peter Fonagy and George Gergely |
| Mentalization-Based Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder: A Practical Guide | 2006 | With Peter Fonagy, Anthony Bateman, and others. |
Legacy and Impact
Mary Target's work, particularly her collaboration with Peter Fonagy on mentalization-based treatment (MBT), has had a significant impact on the field of psychotherapy, especially in the treatment of borderline personality disorder and other mental health conditions. Her work has also contributed to a greater understanding of the role of mentalization in child development and attachment.
Mary Target Biography: Further Information
Detailed information relating to the academic and professional contributions that constitute a full "Mary Target biography" can be found within publications by UCL, the Tavistock Clinic, and relevant databases of psychoanalytic research.