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Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT) is an evidence-based adaptation of standard DBT developed specifically to treat disorders of over-control.

What is over-control (OC)?

Over-control (OC) is both a biologically based temperament and a style of coping. OC individuals tend to:

  • Be conscientious, reserved, and perfectionistic

  • Take life a little too seriously

  • Have high personal standards

  • Care a great deal about doing what’s regarded as the “right thing”

  • Plan ahead and forego personal needs in order to meet long-term goals or to help others

  • Tend to control or constrain expressions of emotion

Although high self-control is generally thought to be a good quality, research shows that too much self-control can actually become problematic. Over-control is associated with emotional loneliness, social isolation, and difficulty connecting to others and developing intimate social bonds. In RO-DBT, we aim to join a tribe to connect with others to create a life worth sharing.

 

How does RO-DBT treat over-control?

RO-DBT is informed by research demonstrating that emotions function to communicate with others and create social bonds. OC coping interferes with our ability to engage in behaviors that help us to develop close social connections, which causes loneliness and distress.

RO-DBT teaches individuals how to change their social signaling so that emotional expression better fits the social context. This results in increased trust, sense of belonging, and social connectedness.

“If I know anything, it is that I don’t know everything and neither does anyone else.”
— Michael P. Lynch

RO-DBT is usually delivered around 30 sessions of both individual therapy and skills classes. It’s a structured, collaborative therapy in which people learn tangible skills that they can immediately begin to practice.

How is RO-DBT different than DBT?

RO-DBT is a new treatment developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch to treat people who lean toward emotional Over-control (OC). In recent times, some folks may describe this as “quiet borderline” or just call themselves shy.

While RO-DBT builds on core principles in standard DBT, the strategies used in RO-DBT are different. For example, while in DBT a person may learn skills for down-regulating or containing emotions and emotionally-driven behaviors in order to stabilize relationships, a person in RO-DBT may need to practice being more emotionally expressive in order to foster closeness in relationships.  See this chart for more on the differences between DBT and RO-DBT.

How do I know which therapy is right for me?

Take the test below to determine if you might be OC or UC.

Tally up the number of checks in each column- the column with the greatest number represents your overall personality style.

If you have a higher score for column A, this indicates you tend to be more under-controlled, (and you may benefit from DBT services)

If you have a higher score for column B, this indicates you tend to be more over-controlled, (and you may benefit from RO DBT Services)

Paying for Radically Open Services

At this time, our therapists start at $130 per session, and our classes start at $65 per class.

Ready to join the tribe?