Welcome to RODBT Canada!

Settle in, and let us tell you a little about what this new treatment is, and why it may be a match for you.

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, is a “new” therapy that is finally making its way out into the world thanks to its creator Dr. Tom Lynch, and his incredible team. With 20 years of evidence behind the treatment the long awaited manual and textbook have now been released as of February 2018. Over the last few years, select clinicians have been intensively trained with Dr. Lynch and his team. Sharon Zister, based in Toronto is pleased to bring the treatment to Ontario as the only trained clinician as of 2018. As the intensive trainings continue, you may verify that your therapist has completed the certificate program by visiting http://www.radicallyopen.net/find-a-therapist/

Here’s a summary to help settle into what this treatment is all about:

Standard Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (referred to as DBT), was designed to assist clients who struggled to regulate and contain their emotional responses, and which often results in disruption to others and therefore interpersonal relationships. In this light, the terminology of “under controlled” is used to describe the underlying area of focus and the treatment is designed to provide interventions and to teach skills related to regulating emotion and therefore helping with impulse control. Within the dialectical teachings, clients are also coached to tolerate degrees of distress as well as how to Radically Accept aspects of life as a way to decrease suffering. DBT has proven itself to be life-changing and even life saving for many, and may be recommended for those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Substance Misuse, or Bipolar Disorder, etc.

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (referred to as RODBT) on the other hand comes in response to a need for a more tailored and appropriate response to clients whose way of thinking and expression of emotions are often directed inward or don’t emerge at all. In this light we use the terminology of “over controlled” (OC) to describe the apparent excessive self-control and the lost ability to flexibly respond to one’s environment. Those who struggle with this type of personality and coping style can find social relationships difficult and sometimes painful to manage. They may be more likely to find themselves isolated and therefore experiencing severe and difficult to treat Mental Health problems such as those with Anorexia Nervosa, Chronic Depression and/or Chronic Anxiety. This treatment is also showing promise for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The five key OC themes that are targeted in this treatment include:

1. Inhibited and disingenuous emotional expression
2. Hyper-detailed focused and overly cautious behaviour
3. Rigide and rule-governed behaviour
4. Aloof and distant styles of relating
5. High social comparison and envy/bitterness

In this treatment, RADICAL OPENNESS is both the core principle and core skill. The treatment seeks psychological health/well being by focusing on three areas:

1. Receptivity and Openness to new experiences and disconfirming feedback in order to learn
2. Flexible-control in order to adapt to changing environmental conditions
3. Intimacy and social-connectedness (with at least one other person) based on the premises that species survival required capacities to form long-lasting bonds and work in groups or tribes

This therapy is delivered using 3 key formats in tandem. Participants commit to a weekly Skills Group (2.5 hours in length with a 15 minute break) where core principles are taught. Individual weekly sessions (1 hour in length) are in place to customize the treatment targets, address individual needs and set out the homework assignments. Clients then have an option to contract for skills-coaching telephone calls to support the treatment throughout the week outside of session/class.

 

For more information on RODBT – including links to review the 20 year evidence base, please visit: www.radicallyopen.net