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

this is used throughout therapy hospitals with eating disorders. Fantastic read highly recommend

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Dr. Thomas Lynch provides a clear approach to working with the challenges of clients who over control their emotions. Based on Malamati Sufism, Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy, RO-DBT, assists clients by presenting a discrete set of cognitive and behavioral skills to effect change which increases openness, flexibility, and social inclusion. Targeting social signaling in both the clinician and client, RO-DBT assists clients partially by engaging them socially while they concurrently learn to evaluate internal and external information differently through self-enquiry. Dr. Lynch provides clear examples of how to work with this trans-diagnostic group including celebrations of successes for letting-go, how to arrange your clinical room, and social signaling. In combination with the handouts, worksheets, and skills manual, this book is an excellent primer on a deeply effective and ground-breaking therapy.

This manual describes the theory and practice of Radically Open dialectical behavior therapy (RO DBT), a transdiagnostic, empirically-based therapy for overcontrol (OC). Through extensive translational research, the author and treatment developer, Dr. Thomas Lynch, has managed to integrate a biosocial approach with polyvagal theory that addresses difficult-to-treat disorders in a novel, bottom-up fashion that circumvents pitfalls of traditional cognitive-behavioural therapies. This intervention fills a critical gap by effectively and creatively targeting significantly-impairing problems such as Anorexia Nervosa, chronic depression, and Cluster C personality disorders in a way that has been lacking in the literature to date. Dr. Lynch presents this model, which challenges some core misconceptions about psychotherapy with the OC population –e.g., “one size does not fit all” (because emotional loneliness rather than dysregulation is the primary problem) - in a comprehensive yet accessible manner that that makes intuitive sense and will appeal to most clinicians. Though the material is heavily influenced by neurophysiological science, Lynch’s writing remains engaging and reader-friendly throughout. Indeed, this manual will be accessible to a broad audience, including patients, those with an interest in therapy processes, graduate trainees, and mental health practitioners. I cannot recommend this book enough, and have already bought copies to share with my peers and supervisors. This is a treatment that will change lives.

Good for those interested in RODBT

Having completed two weeks of training with Thomas Lynch, this text is the perfect companion moving forward in deepening and expanding my use of Radically Open DBT with my clients. I find it accessible and helpful in assisting the new RO therapist in her journey to integrate the RO principles an philosophy. I feel as though Tom continues to guide and remind me as I read his words. As a trauma focused, emdr therapist I am eagerly introducing RO DBT to them and many of them can't wait for the class to begin. The link to the downloads is an outstanding bonus. If you haven't taken the training this book is truly comprehensive as is the accompanying skills manual. I can't imagine moving forward without either one.