radically open dialectical behavior therapy

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy is based in Original DBT components...meaning, the same 5 parts are required.Although the components remain unchanged, the content and focus is parallel opposite to that in DBT.

Because RO-DBT focuses on emotional disorders of over-control whereas DBT focuses on disorders of under-control, there are unique skills sets taught in class that are new to this adaptation.In addition, Individual therapy still retains the requirements of all components, but the focus is on reducing vulnerabilities for disorders and illness of over-control such as, but not limited to: chronic/severe depression, eating disorders, OCD...to name a few.

RO-DBT still follows the format and structure of DBT, with adaptations, including a new module, and redefined goals for each of the previous existing ones.

DBT PROGRAMS HAVE 5 COMPONENTS, 3 OF WHICH ARE PATIENT INCLUSIVE:

I

Individual Therapy: The therapist and patient discuss issues that come up during the week (recorded on diary cards) and follow a treatment target hierarchy.

Targets, in order of treatment urgency are:

• Self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, or life threatening behaviors.

• Repair alliance-ruptures.

• Reduce quality of life interfering over-control behaviors (such as rigidity, rish aversion, emotional inhibition, envy/bitterness, aloofness) while increasing openness and flexibility.

• Skills Aquisition and Application are a co-occurring target and addressed in skills classes.

II

Skills Class: Classes ordinarily meets once weekly for 2 hours/week. Here one learns to use specific skills that are broken down into 6 skill modules:

1. core mindfulness: skills on learning to be in the present and live life effictively.

2. interpersonal effectiveness: skills to learn how to get needs met, build relationships, & increase self-respect

3. emotion regulation: skills on how to choose emotions, their intensity, and control level of emotional expression.

4. distress tolerance: skills to be able to tolerate unwanted moments without making things worse or hurting yourself more

5. walking the middle path

6. radical openness

A skills training class combines lecture, discussion and practice exercises to develop and refine skills in non-judgmental, present moment awareness and acceptance, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and problem-solving. The format is as follows:

Classes        1-9: mindfulness + interpersonal effectivenss + walking the middle path

Classes    10-18: mindfulness + RO emotion regulation

Classes    19-27: mindfulness + radical openness

III

Skills Coaching: A primary goal of coaching is to ask for help before you engage in the behaviors so you can be skillful in resolving issues. A secondary goal is to use coaching for clarification on homework.

IV

Tream Consultation: a requirement of a true DBT practice. Your therapists evaluate treatment efficacy and application. This is done weekly to ensure stable, ongoing progress and dialectical balance in the therapeutic relationship.

V

Ancillary Treatment: referrals to psychiatry, biofeedback, equine therapy, occupational therapy, diagnostics--made as necessary or as requested.