Introduction To Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) For Disorders Of Over-Control

Self-control, or the ability to inhibit competing urges, impulses, or behaviors, is highly valued and rewarded by most societies. However, excessive self-control has been linked to social isolation, aloof interpersonal functioning, maladaptive perfectionism, constricted emotional expressions, and difficult-to-treat mental health problems, such as anorexia nervosa, obsessive compulsive personality disorder and refractory depression. Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is a treatment for patients who suffer from emotional and behavioral over-control. Some clients lack emotional...Read more control and need interventions designed to enhance emotional and behavioral control; others, for whom RO DBT is designed, require interventions designed to relax rigid or inflexible control and attend to the core problem of overcontrol: emotional loneliness. RO DBT has been researched over the past 25 years for patients with chronic depression or anorexia nervosa. Research results suggest that it is effective in these, and other, hard-to-treat groups such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

This 5 hour live interactive presentation will give mental health practitioners (e.g. psychology, psychiatry, social work, mental health, nursing) who are not yet familiar with RO DBT an overview of the treatment and the clinical population it is designed to treat. This presentation will provide information related to the research on RO DBT, the biosocial theory underlying over-control, the treatment targets for RO DBT as well as a brief introduction into the modes of treatment and some of the skills. The aim is for clinicians to be able to make a more informed decision after attending this presentation on whether or not RO DBT is suitable for their clients, whether they want to learn how to practice RO DBT, how to incorporate RO DBT into their counseling centers/clinics/practices and ways they can weave skills into their personal and professional life. This live interactive presentation is at the introductory/beginner level so no previous knowledge of RO DBT is required. Teaching methods involve didactic, audio/visual aids (slides, handouts, videos), case examples, role plays, and interactive exercises that help convey teaching points.


Please note: This is a 5 hour introductory presentation – the comprehensive implementation training comprises approximately 40-50 hours of blended learning (online and in-person training courses) or 60 hours of intensive in person training offered as 2 x 5 full day trainings, with approximately 6 months between each 5 days. More details of both can be found here: https://radicallyopen-blendedlearning.net/online-courses/ Less...

Learning Objectives

• Define the problem of overcontrol according to the four core deficits.
• Explain the specific biosocial theory for overcontrol.
• Describe what Radical Openness is (and is not).
• Describe the RO-DBT treatment hierarchy and modes of treatment.
• Evaluate whether RO DBT might be a suitable treatment for your clients.
• Apply at least 4 skills from RO DBT And how to use them personally and professionally.
• Discuss at least 3 ways to bring RO DBT principles into personal life and professional practice.

Learning Levels

• Beginner

Tuesday, June 09, 2026

09:00 AM EDT - 04:00 PM EDT