Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Theory and Practice for Treating Disorders of Overcontrol

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Theory and Practice for Treating Disorders of Overcontrol

<DIV><P>Based on over twenty years of research, radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RO DBT) is a breakthrough, transdiagnostic approach for helping people suffering from extremely difficult-to-treat emotional overcontrol (OC) disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and treatment-resistant depression. Written by the founder of RO DBT, Thomas Lynch, this comprehensive volume outlines the core theories of RO DBT, and provides a framework for implementing RO DBT in individual therapy.</P><P>While traditional dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) has shown tremendous success in treating people with emotion dysregulation, there have been few resources available for treating those with <I>overcontrol</I> disorders. OC has been linked to social isolation, aloof and distant relationships, cognitive rigidity, risk aversion, a strong need for structure, inhibited emotional expression, and hyper-perfectionism. And yet-perhaps due to the high value our society places on the capacity to delay gratification and inhibit public displays of destructive emotions and impulses-problems linked with OC have received little attention or been misunderstood. Indeed, people with OC are often considered highly successful by others, even as they suffer silently and alone.</P><P>RO DBT is based on the premise that psychological well-being involves the confluence of three factors: receptivity, flexibility, and social-connectedness. RO DBT addresses each of these important factors, and is the first treatment in the world to prioritize social-signaling as the primary mechanism of change based on a transdiagnostic, neuroregulatory model linking the communicative function of human emotions to the establishment of social connectedness and well-being. As such, RO DBT is an invaluable resource for treating an array of disorders that center around overcontrol and a lack of social connectedness-such as anorexia nervosa, chronic depression, postpartum depression, treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, as well as personality disorders such as avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, and paranoid personality disorder.</P><P>Written for mental health professionals, professors, or simply those interested in behavioral health, this seminal book-along with its companion, <I>The Skills Training Manual for Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy</I> (available separately)-provides everything you need to understand and implement this exciting new treatment in individual therapy-including theory, history, research, ongoing studies, clinical examples, and future directions.</P></DIV>