Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT)
Are you quietly suffering from loneliness, feelings of shame, or embarrassment? Let us help you break down your barriers.
What is RO DBT Therapy?
RO DBT, or Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a new, evidence-based treatment modality, created in 2018 by Thomas R. Lynch.
He had noticed that traditional Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was targeted toward people with impulsive behavior associated with low self control. However, DBT did not help people with “overcontrol” – that is, people with excessive self-control, rigidity, and social inhibition.
Styles of coping: undercontrol vs. overcontrol
There are two styles of coping:
- Undercontrolled individuals tend to have less “control” over their reactions. They may be overly expressive, impulsive, or potentially aggressive at times. For example, as children, if an under-controlled child wanted a cookie before dinner, they’d likely grab the cookie, even if it wasn’t allowed.
- On the other hand, overcontrolled people tend to have extremely high self-control. As children, they would likely stop themselves from eating the cookie before dinner because they thought through the consequences ahead of time.
What is the problem with being overcontrolled?
A high degree of self-control in itself is not a bad thing. Our society needs people who are hardworking and persistent to be able to advance our communities. An individual with a lot of self-control is likely to keep calm under pressure, behave well, and focus their energy on their tasks – an employer’s dream! Because of these ideal qualities, overcontrolled people are often praised for their self-discipline. Who wouldn’t want to be successful and outwardly perfect?
Unfortunately, individuals with too much self-control might be quietly suffering on the inside. Overcontrolled people may tend to avoid risk, mask inner feelings, and compulsively seek control. These behaviors are not only personally distressing but directly harmful to relationships.
What issues can arise from being overcontrolled?
Overcontrolled individuals may have difficulty showing vulnerability. They can unintentionally sabotage their relationships, and then experience envy or bitterness because they feel disconnected or excluded. Often, their social signaling (i.e., outward behaviors, facial expressions, body language) contributes to their feelings of social isolation.
As a result, an overcontrolled person may be quietly suffering from:
- Poor interpersonal relationships
- Chronic depression or anxiety
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and
- Perfectionism.
How does RO DBT Therapy help?
RO DBT teaches participants how to activate their social safety system, allowing them to become more relaxed, flexible, and open to their environment.
RO DBT also has a strong focus on helping participants to align the messages they’re sending to others with the message they really want to send. The idea is that when we change what we do, we change how we feel.
How does RO DBT differ from regular DBT Therapy?
RO-DBT offers essentially the same benefits of DBT therapy and structure of DBT therapy. However, where DBT therapy focuses on helping people who are under-controlled (i.e., who need help with impulse control), RO DBT is unique to targeting over-control.
RO DBT provides a flexible framework to help people improve their connections with others, live life more fully, and enjoy it more too!
What To Expect in RO DBT Therapy
Our Radically-Open DBT (RO DBT) therapists will create a flexible plan for you that meets your needs. This might include one or both elements of:
- weekly skills training class
- weekly individual therapy session
RO DBT is a flexible program, so reach out to learn what approach will meet your needs. Let Mindfully help you break your feelings of loneliness and help you rejoin your tribe.