Introduction to Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT)

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) is a new evidence-based treatment for people who suffer from emotional and behavior over-control. While traditional DBT works well for clients who lack emotional control and need interventions to enhance emotional and behavioral control; others, for whom RO DBT was designed, require interventions designed to relax rigid or inflexible control.

A counterintuitive idea behind the therapy is that it’s possible to have too much self-control. Self-control refers to our ability to restrain acting on our urges, emotions, and wants in favor of longer-term goals. Most of the time, self-control is good, but some people can suffer from excessive self-control. For these people, inhibiting and controlling impulses and emotions has become so habitual and automatic that they have problems relaxing control when needed. This can result in overcontrolled people being overly inhibited, perfectionistic, cautious, and feeling exhausted by social interactions.

RO DBT has been researched over the past 20 years for people with chronic depression or anorexia nervosa. Research results suggest that it is effective in these, and other, treatment-resistant groups such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

In this 2-hour continuing education webinar for therapists and clinicians, Heidi Petracco, MSW, LCSW will examine disorders of overcontrol, review RO-DBT and its treatment structure, and explain Radical Openness.

This introductory continuing education webinar is designed to help mental health professionals:

1. Explain a new biosocial theory for disorders of overcontrol.
2. Describe the four core deficits of overcontrol.
3. Describe a novel treatment mechanism positing open expression = trust = social connectedness.
4. Describe RO-DBT therapeutic stance and treatment structure.
5. Describe how Radical Openness is designed to enhance willingness for self-inquiry and flexible responding.​​​

Statement of program material’s accuracy, utility, and risks: This program presents clinical and scientific information about temperaments of over-control and Radically Open DBT that are an accumulation of over 20 years of research by treatment developer Dr. Thomas Lynch. This workshop is intended for mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc.) who are interested in learning how to help their overcontrolled clients. No prior training in DBT or RO-DBT is necessary. The instructional level for this event will be similar to a post-graduate level lecture class. This program discusses strategies for applying the concepts taught in a clinically responsible manner, although the presenter may not know how to apply all principles discussed to every situation or person. A body of research surveyed in the program suggests that the methods are effective and safe. As always, however, misapplication of the concepts with various populations could lead to unintended outcomes.

Declaration of any conflict of interest: There are no conflicts of interest involving the presenter.

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact GoodTherapy here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

2 CE contact hours will be provided by GoodTherapy for attending this web conference in its entirety. 

GoodTherapy is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/2022 – 3/30/2025. Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

GoodTherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0395. GoodTherapy, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0022 and for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0031.

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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