Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy developed by Dr. Thomas R. Lynch for disorders of over-control. Excessive self-control or over-control is a type of personality or coping style that can be identified in early childhood and can lead to social isolation, poor interpersonal functioning, and severe and difficult-to-treat mental health problems, such as anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorders, chronic depression, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (not OCD, but more related to perfectionism, orderliness, and control). Individuals characterised by over-controlled coping tend to be serious about life, set high personal standards, work hard, behave appropriately, and frequently will sacrifice personal needs in order to achieve desired goals or help others; yet inwardly they often feel “clueless” about how to join in with others or establish intimate bonds. Thus, over-control works well when it comes to sitting quietly in school or building a rocket; but it creates problems when it comes to social relationships.

What Is RO DBT?

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a new evidence-based treatment that targets over-controlled behaviour. It has been used to treat some of the rigid responses and emotional inhibition thought to underlie many treatment-resistant conditions. RO-DBT has been informed by over 20 years of clinical and experimental research, and is a talking therapy that involves weekly individual and group sessions. The duration of the therapy is ~30 weeks. The RO-DBT treatment typically involves a 1-hour weekly individual session and a 2.5-hour weekly group session.

Who is the Treatment For?  Patients who have a diagnosis of Chronic Depression, Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant, Paranoid and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

A growing evidence base: RO-DBT is now practised in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, and is increasingly recognised as effective for patients who exhibit emotional over-control. The efficacy of RO-DBT has been informed by experimental, longitudinal, and correlational research,