Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT)

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is an evidence-based treatment, developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch, specifically for targeting a spectrum of disorders characterized by excessive self-control, often referred to as overcontrol. Self-control is the ability to inhibit competing urges, impulses, urges, or desires and delay gratification in order to pursue future goals. RO-DBT has been found to be helpful for several diagnoses and issues including chronic depression, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, treatment-resistant anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and maladaptive perfectionism.

RO DBT builds on the work of Dr. Marsha Linehan’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy research. Radical Openness is the core philosophical principle and core skill in RO DBT. The term “radical openness” means there are three important aspects of emotional well-being: openness, flexibility, and social connectedness. As a state of mind, Radical Openness involves actively seeking our personal unknown in order to learn from an ever-changing environment. Radical Openness also enhances relationships because it models humility and the willingness to learn from what the world has to offer.

RO DBT significantly differs from other treatment approaches, most notably by linking the communicative functions of emotional expression to the formation of close social bonds and via skills targeting social-signaling and changing neurophysiological arousal. RO DBT treatment involves both individual treatment sessions and skills training classes, and centers around five overcontrol themes: inhibited and disingenuous emotional expression; hyper-detailed focused and overly cautious behavior; rigid and rule-governed behavior; aloof and distant style of relating; and high social comparison and envy/bitterness. RO DBT skills classes can help increase flexibility and openness, reduce rigidity and perfectionism, learn social signaling skills, and express emotions authentically.

MCP currently offers one RO DBT group a week via telehealth on Thursdays at 5:00-6:30 pm. Please note that at this time, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is only certifying traditional DBT and DBT for adolescents (DBT-A), so RO DBT is not eligible to be a certified DHS DBT service. For more information on the general DBT program or other specialized DBT options at MCP, click here.

An initial assessment is completed with each individual interested in receiving RO DBT services to discuss reason/s for seeking services, identify problems, strengths, goals, and recommendations, and determine diagnosis/es (if applicable).

For more information, to make a referral, or to request an assessment for RO DBT, contact us at 651-644-4100.