How does RO DBT work?
Research shows that overcontrolled people are born with certain characteristics that make them highly threat-sensitive, and that these characteristics are reinforced by their environment, relationships and past experiences. Such individuals develop ways of coping that involve the avoidance of uncomfortable feelings, but which actually prevent them from finding happiness.
RO DBT differs from other therapies in several ways, but the biggest difference is that it focuses on ‘maladaptive social-signalling’. This refers to what we say (and how we say it), and our non-verbal behaviour, movements, and facial expressions. These social signals may be deliberate or accidental; either way, they maintain a person’s sense of emotional loneliness. By identifying a person’s unique social signalling deficits and teaching new skills, RO DBT helps overcontrolled people to find happiness, improve relationships and social interactions, increase flexibility, and engage with the world in a more relaxed manner.
The full RO DBT programme is available to anyone aged 18 or over and comprises two key components which are delivered over approximately 30 weeks: weekly individual therapy sessions, each lasting 50 minutes, and a weekly online skills training class that lasts for two hours. Whilst the full RO DBT programme is the recommended form of treatment, in some cases we may be able to provide individual sessions only or skills classes only and would be happy to discuss this as part of the assessment process. Individual RO DBT is available for those who are aged from 13 years, and a specific under-18s skills class will be coming soon.