RO-DBT is a highly structured Evidence Based Treatment (EBT) protocol with an emphasis on helping individuals with excessive self-control. It has been used to treat some of the rigid responses and emotional inhibition thought to underlie many treatment-resistant conditions. RO-DBT was developed by Dr. Thomas R. Lynch and emphasizes emotional openness, flexibility, and social connectedness as central components of emotional wellness.

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. Radical openness involves a willingness to doubt or question ourselves and our convictions without falling apart.

Excessive self-control or overcontrol is a type of personality or coping style that can be identified in early childhood and can lead to social isolation, poor interpersonal functioning, and severe and difficult-to-treat mental health problems.

Some diagnoses associated with excessive self control (or over-control) include: chronic depression, treatment resistant anxiety disorders, anorexia nervosa, obsessive compulsive personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals who have developed an overcontrolled coping style tend to be serious about life, set high personal standards, work hard, behave in ways they deem most appropriate while also expecting others to do the same, and frequently will sacrifice personal needs in order to achieve desired goals or help others. Inwardly, however, they often feel overwhelmed and disoriented with regard to how to join in with others or establish intimate bonds. Thus, overcontrol works well when it comes to sitting quietly in school or building a rocket; but it creates problems when it comes to social relationships, preventing the individual from having joyful, spontaneous, and connected life experiences. Overcontrolled people are often responsible and conscientious without feeling much reciprocity or reward.

RO-DBT aims to help individuals develop the skills necessary to navigate their internal emotional experience and external social signaling more effectively so that they may experience more enjoyable and functional interpersonal relationships.

Core principles of RO DBT include:

openness to new experiences

flexibility in thinking and behavior

social connectedness

The treatment is delivered in both weekly, hour long individual therapy sessions, weekly, two and a half hour long skills classes, and daily practice. This combined treatment delivery allows individuals to explore and identify their emotions, observe thought patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and develop new coping strategies to improve their experiences.

Skills classes allow participants to learn evidence-based techniques for managing emotions, improving relationships, and increasing the felt sense of joy and connectedness in everyday life. RO DBT is typically delivered over 30 weekly sessions.

The fee for RO DBT is $250 per weekly session. The cost of the weekly 2.5 hour group is included in the individual session cost. (There is a total of 3.5 hours of treatment per week) There is no extra charge for phone coaching sessions when they are requested.

RO DBT may be reimbursed or partially reimbursed by your insurance provider. Check your out of network benefits on the Mentaya benefits checker below.

Due to the amount of treatment time involved, RO DBT is not covered by our Monthly Enrollment Plans.

If you are interested in receiving more information or seeking any of these services for yourself or your child (14+), please reach out to our practice by completing the form accessed by the Request an Appointment button on the top right hand side of each page of our website. A provider from Obsidian Care Collective will respond to you and schedule a no cost phone consultation to discuss these options with you.

If you believe RO DBT may be a good fit for a person you care about, please direct them to our Request an Appointment form on our website or share our email info@obsidiancarecollective.com or phone number (910) 317-8310‬.