What is RO DBT?

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is a new evidence-based treatment targeting a spectrum of disorders characterized by excessive self control. This maladaptive amount of impulse control is called “overcontrol” or “OC.”

RO DBT is supported by over 20 years of translational research. This means that the therapy was developed from understanding impulse-control biology, clinical observations of psychology-related professionals, and both known and new therapy tools and techniques.

RO DBT addresses the significant gap in the treatment of many chronic or biologically-based mental health disorders such as:

· Chronic Anxiety

· Refractory Depression (treatment resistant or recurrent depression)

· Autism Spectrum Disorders

· Anorexia Nervosa

· Avoidant, Paranoid and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorders

RO DBT treatment involves both individual therapy sessions and a 30-lesson skills training class. The therapy centers around five OC 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 is proving to be one of the most (if not the most) highly effective treatment for the spectrum of disorders mention above based on the current research and comparison to “treatment as usual” of antidepressants, cognitive behavior therapy, CBASP, or general counseling.

Hope Arnold is a Radically Open DBT Therapist in Denver, CO.