Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT)

is it possible to have too much self control?

what is RO DBT

RO DBT is an empirically based therapy that effectively treats overcontrolled clients. Most of the time, self-control is good, but some people can suffer from excessive self-control. For these people, inhibiting and controlling impulses and emotions has become so habitual and automatic that they have problems relaxing control when needed. This can result in overcontrolled people being overly inhibited, perfectionistic, cautious, and feeling exhausted by social interactions. Anorexia nervosa, chronic depression, treatment-resistant anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive PD are all examples of mental health problems characterized by excessive self-control. To learn more about RO DBT, check out this link to hear from the treatment developer, Dr. Thomas Lynch.

Kayla co-facilitated the first RO DBT skills class in NYC and is excited to offer it in Utah now. She recognizes its effectiveness for persons struggling with eating disorders, as these folks often suffer in silence, holding their pain with such controlled ability that few, if any, know how bad they are hurting.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was created back in the early 90s specifically to help people who were chronically suicidal and emotionally dysregulated, often people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. RO DBT is a new treatment with 25 years of research. It is focused on treating the problems of people who are emotionally overcontrolled, which is the opposite of whom DBT is intended to help. You can read a detailed breakdown of the difference here.

Are you a dietitian and interested in learning how to apply RO DBT to your practice?

Kayla has a platform just for you at RO4RD.com

what’s the difference between DBT and RO DBT?

30 Week RO DBT Skills Class

Option 1: Adults 18+

  • Ongoing enrollment starts every 10 weeks

  • Next enrollment January 21st

  • When: Tuesday evenings 7:00-8:30 pm MST

  • Location: Zoom

Option 2: Clinicians

  • Closed class

  • When: Wednesdays 12:00pm -1:30 pm MDT

  • Location: Zoom

Option 3: Adolescents

Start Date TBD

  • When: Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 pm MDT

  • Location: Zoom

  • 25 weeks

“While I was skeptical about the effectiveness of participating in a remote class like this, and even unconvinced about the whole RO DBT approach at first… my participation in the 30-week course was life-changing. It gave me a real foundation of self enquiry, a strong sense of community among others who share similar struggles, and skills I can use to help guide me throughout my life and relationships. - KG”
— Skills Class Participant, KG

Listen in….

Radically Open DBT as a Treatment Modality for Disordered Eating

Kayla sits down with Dylan Murphy, RD, LDN, for an episode of the Food Freedom podcast. What does being overcontrolled and undercontrolled mean in the context of treating people with disordered eating patterns? How can dietitians and therapists bring less rigidity and more spontaneity to treatment sessions with clients? Kayla shares some tangible tools or next steps she would give a client within the RO DBT model and discusses the role of RO DBT in bettering services for clients.

Turning Pain Points into Radical Recovery - RO DBT for Eating Disorders

Kayla joins SeasonED RD Beth Harrell to share why RO DBT might be a game-changer for eating disorder dietitians and THE most effective treatment modality for adults with anorexia nervosa. She also answers questions like: How is RO DBT different from DBT? What is an overcontrolled temperament and how is it “often a lovely thing”? Can RO DBT help with body image? Is RO DBT a scope of practice concern for dietitians? What are Pain Points and Self-Enquiry?