“I used to think showing my vulnerabilities would lead to great ridicule, now I know showing all sides of myself leads to greater connection and relatability.”
-Affirmation Pod
What is RO-DBT?
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is a recently documented approach developed by Thomas R. Lynch, PhD. The method was rigorously tested for efficacy for over 20 years, with the first manual, entitled Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Theory and Practice for Treating Disorders of Overcontrol, being released just this year (2018). The goal of the therapy is to increase openness to new experiences, improve ability to adapt to a changing environment, and increase intimacy and social connectedness. While DBT seeks to reduce impulsivity and mood-dependent behavior, RO-DBT teaches relaxation and increased emotional expressiveness. Just as in DBT, mindfulness is a core element of the treatment. There is an accompanying skills training manual which contains many worksheets and homework assignments that are designed to help teach skills to decrease self-control. Yes, just like everything, even self-control can be severely damaging if taken in large doses. Peri Counseling uses the skills training manual during the skills training portion of individual therapy.
Who needs RO-DBT?
If you have a difficult time having to rearrange your schedule, you think that there is only one "right" way to do do something, you almost never take risks such as eating different foods or trying new things, then you likely are struggling to effectively manage your level of self-control. Overcontrol diagnoses include anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and chronic depression, among others. If a set of rules controls many aspects of your life and you feel different from other people, then RO-DBT is definitely a treatment that you should try. Surprisingly enough, studies indicate that more individuals suffer from disorders of over-control than from under-control. However, because of the very nature of being over-controlled, many individuals do not seek treatment.
Does RO-DBT work?
RO-DBT has been shown to produce positive outcomes in clinical trials conducted over the course of 20 years, with ongoing trials showing preliminary positive results as well. Anyone involved in a RO-DBT informed program must be willing to actively engage during sessions, complete homework, and practice skills daily. The most important factor for success is the relationship that you have with your therapist. Please schedule a free telephone consultation so we can start to get to know one another and discuss whether or not Peri Counseling would be a good fit for you. While we can't guarantee certain outcomes, successes, or resolutions of any kind, Peri Counseling can teach you the skills you need, encourage you to complete all assigned homework, and provide you with a safe place to practice.