Struggling with over-control? How RO-DBT can help
- 26-week group at Priory Hospital Roehampton
- Focus on helping people gain more control
- Site rated 'Good' by CQC
In our society, self-control is usually celebrated. We’re taught that being disciplined, dutiful and controlled is the key to success. However, for some of us, self-control can become excessive. When we are too controlled, we may find it difficult to relax, struggle to show our true emotions, and feel a deep sense of emotional loneliness even when we’re around other people.
If you often find yourself meticulously planning, strictly following rules, or struggling to connect deeply with others, you may be experiencing emotional over-control. At Priory Hospital Roehampton, our specialised radically open dialectical behaviour therapy (RO-DBT) programme can help you find a more flexible and connected way of living.
What is RO-DBT?
RO-DBT is a modern, evidence-based treatment specifically designed for people who struggle with excessive over-control. While traditional DBT often focuses on helping people gain more control over impulsive emotions, RO-DBT does the opposite. It helps those who are already very controlled to ‘loosen up’, be more spontaneous and connect with others.
Excessive over-control is often linked to conditions such as:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Chronic depression
- Social isolation
RO-DBT vs traditional DBT: which is right for you?
While RO-DBT shares a name with traditional DBT, they are designed to treat very different emotional styles. Understanding the differences is key to ensuring you receive the most effective support for your personality type.
Standard DBT was originally developed to help people with under-control, where emotions feel overwhelming and lead to impulsive actions. RO-DBT, however, was created for people with over-control, where emotions are kept under such a tight lock that it leads to social disconnection.
At Priory Hospital Roehampton, we also run a traditional DBT group for those that need it. Before starting a group, our team will assess your symptoms and recommend which group would be best for you.
The benefits of choosing RO-DBT
Our RO-DBT programme focuses on three key pillars of wellbeing:
- Receptivity and openness: Learning to be open to new experiences and challenging feedback
- Flexibility: Adapting to the changing demands of the moment rather than sticking to a rigid plan
- Social signalling: Learning how to express our emotions accurately to foster close and meaningful relationships
By engaging with RO-DBT, you can gain much more confidence in managing your emotions and navigating social interactions.
What to expect from the 26-week programme
Our RO-DBT programme is a comprehensive 26-week journey held online via Zoom on Fridays. This makes it accessible from the comfort of your own home while still providing the power of a group setting.
Therapy is delivered by our experienced clinicians in an open group format, which means you can join at any point in the programme cycle. Each session is designed to build your toolkit of social and emotional skills. The programme focuses on:
- Learning to adapt to the demands of the moment
- Emphasising the importance of expressing emotions to foster positive relationships
- Reflecting on our typical responses and behaviours
- Developing the ability to handle unexpected or challenging feedback constructively
You’ll also be provided with written materials and homework tasks to be completed in between sessions. These exercises are essential for helping you cultivate new habits in your daily life.
See the programme timetable here:
- Session 1: Flexible openness
- Session 2: Understanding emotions
- Session 3: Activating social safety
- Session 4: Enhancing openness and social connection
- Session 5: Engaging in novel behaviour
- Session 6: How do emotions help us?
- Session 7: Understanding over-controlled coping
- Session 8: Tribe matters - understanding rejection
- Session 9: Social signalling matters
- Session 10: Using social signalling to live by values
- Session 11: Over-controlled states of mind
- Session 12: ‘What’ skills
- Session 13: ‘How’ skills with self-enquiry
- Session 14: ‘How’ skills
- Session 15: Interpersonal integrity - saying what we mean
- Session 16: Interpersonal integrity - push backs and ‘don’t hurt me’ responses
- Session 17: Interpersonal effectiveness - kindness first and foremost
- Session 18: Being assertive with an open mind
- Session 19: Using validation to signal social inclusion
- Session 20: Enhancing social connectedness 1
- Session 21: Enhancing social connectedness 2
- Session 22: Learning from corrective feedback
- Session 23: States of mind and ‘what’ skills
- Session 24: Self-enquiry and ‘how’ skills
- Session 25: Envy, cynicism and resignation
- Session 26: Learning to forgive
Expert support from our specialists
Our RO-DBT specialists can help you to manage the difficulties you’re experiencing, improve your quality of life, and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
Our highly qualified therapists, all of whom have extensive experience in supporting people who struggle with over-control, facilitate the course. They provide a confidential and supportive environment where you can explore your typical responses and learn to embrace a more engaged life.
Getting started with RO-DBT
You can call us today to book your space on the RO-DBT group and learn more about our upcoming start dates.
The RO-DBT programme is available for both self-paying patients (£315 per class) and those using private medical insurance (PMI). Please check with your insurer to find out the level of treatment they will authorise.
