What is Standard DBT and RO-DBT?

Most of mental health clinicians, workers, and clients may be familiar with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or have encountered it in some way. Initially developed by Marsha Linehan in the late 1980’s for treating Borderline Personality Disorder, it is now recognized and validated as a great evidence-based therapy for a number of mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, PTSD, self-harm and suicidal tendencies. The goal of DBT is to alleviate the intense emotional pain associated with these mental health issues.

The four pillars of standard DBT are:

The four modules of DBT:

  • Mindfulness

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness

  • Distress Tolerance

  • Emotional Regulation

Standard-DBT

Standard-DBT in its original and ongoing form targets thinking patterns, emotions and behaviors associated with emotional dysregulation and overwhelming distress – or broadly speaking concerns with Emotional Undercontrol (UC). But what about the people on the other end of the spectrum? Those who can oftentimes find it difficult to cope with emotion, are more likely to over-cope or have excessive self-control? This is referred to as Emotional Overcontrol (OC) and is treated through Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT).

Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)

RO-DBT is an evidence-based treatment developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch designed for those who struggle with overcontrol of emotions. Individuals who are emotionally over-controlled often experience:

  • Social isolation

  • Difficulty responding to change

  • Risk avoidant behaviors and

  • Painful interpersonal relationships

More often, these individuals have perfectionist tendencies, struggle with loneliness, are overly cautious and have trouble connecting with others. Ultimately, Standard-DBT and RO-DBT both target distress. Standard-DBT treats emotion when it is experienced as out of control and disinhibited. However, in the case of RO-DBT distress is often inside, not expressed to others directly or can be suppressed entirely.

UNDERCONTROLLED:

Emotional Dysregulated and Impulsive

Do you suffer from any of the following?

  • Suicidal behavior or self-injury

  • Chronic problems with depression, anxiety and anger

  • Self-destructive behaviors

  • Intense and volatile emotional reactivity and difficulty returning to stable mood.

  • Unstable self-image and sense of emptiness

  • Stress-related paranoia or loss of contact with reality

  • Feelings of paranoia and victimization

  • Fear of abandonment

  • Unstable or changing relationship

OVERCONTROLLED:

Emotionally Constrictive and Risk Averse

Do you experience any of the following?

  • Suicidal behavior or self-injury

  • Chronic problems with depression and anxiety

  • Restrictive eating patterns

  • Are overly cautious, careful and dutiful

  • Avoidance of uncertainty or unplanned risk

  • Compulsive rehearsal, premeditation and planning

  • Rigid rule-governed behavior

  • Smiling when distressed

  • Perfectionist tendencies

  • Struggle with loneliness

RECOMMENDED TREATMENT: STANDARD DBT RECOMMENDED TREATMENT: RO-DBT

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Take Action

Are you struggling with either Emotional Undercontrol or Emotional Overcontrol?

Ready to speak to one of our therapists to see if DBT Center of Long Beach is a good fit for you? Call us for a free 15-minute phone consultation.

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INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY

Find out more about our Standard DBT and RO-DBT services and rates.

SERVICES AND RATES