Atlanta DBT Center
DBT & RO-DBT
We believe that everyone has varied ways of coping that benefit from skills on each end of the dialetic, and that concentrating on only one or the other--JUST DBT or JUST RO-DBT would be unethical in our mission to truly and fully heal people from problematic coping behaviors.
DBT
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
People with undercontrol symptoms can benefit from DBT. Symptoms include:
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low inhibitory control--strong impulses,
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lack of control in emotional intensity
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lack of control in relationships--chaotic relationships
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instability in sense of self
-
chaotic coping
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global focused processing,
-
high reward sensitivity
PRE-TREATMENT TARGETS:
- agree to stay alive
- agree to stay in treatment
- agree to work towards no self-harm behaviors
- agree to build a life worth living
EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION DUE TO:
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emotion sensitivity,
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heightened and labile negative affect,
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a deficit of appropriate regulation strategies, and
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a surplus of maladaptive regulation strategies.
DISORDERS TARGETED
Bipolar
Bulimia
Addictions
Binge Eating
Substance Abuse
Personality Disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder
RO-DBT
RO-DBT
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
People with overcontrol symptoms can benefit from RO-DBT. Symptoms include:
-
rigidity
-
inability to connect
-
too much self-control,
-
inflexible behavioral repertoires,
-
emotional suppression and inhibition,
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elevated distress tolerance,
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tendencies towards perfectionism,
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low reward responding and high threat responding,
-
anxious apprehension, and
-
high detail focused processing
IN RO-DBT SKILLS CLASSES
YOU WILL LEARN:
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Social Signaling: How you are saying things without actually saying them.
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Your Social Safety System: The biological reasons why you struggle to let go.
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Emotional loneliness: Why you rarely (if ever!) feel truly connected to others.
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Radical Openness: How staying safe can be dangerous.
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Coping Style: How your way of responding to stress may not all that it seems from the outside.
PRE-TREATMENT TARGETS:
- agree to stay alive
- agree to stay in treatment
- agree to work towards no self-harm behaviors
- agree to build a life worth sharing
EMOTIONAL LONLINESS DUE TO:
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tendencies to hide expressions of emotion
-
indirect communication styles
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isolation, and misery over problematic internal experiences (e.g., negative emotions, harsh self-judgment, distorted thinking)
DISORDERS TARGETED:
Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Narcissistic/Paranoid/ Avoidant PD
Severe/Chronic Depression (MDD)
Severe Anxiety (GAD)
Autism Spectrum
Anorexia
DBT
People with undercontrol symptoms can benefit from DBT.
Symptoms include:
-
low inhibitory control--strong impulses,
-
lack of control in emotional intensity
-
lack of control in relationships--chaotic relationships
-
instability in sense of self
-
chaotic coping
-
global focused processing,
-
high reward sensitivity
ALL
of the
DBT
AND
RO-DBT
SKILLS
are for EVERYONE
every skills class includes DBT & RO-DBT lessons
RO-DBT
People with overcontrol symptoms can benefit from RO-DBT.
Symptoms include:
-
rigidity
-
inability to connect
-
oo much self-control,
-
inflexible behavioral repertoires,
-
emotional suppression and inhibition,
-
elevated distress tolerance,
-
tendencies towards perfectionism,
-
low reward responding and high threat responding,
-
anxious apprehension,
-
high detail focused processing
treating loud behaviors doesn't mean
ignoring quiet misery...
DBT TREATS
-
Bulimia
-
Binge Eating
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
Substance Abuse
-
Addiction Disorders
-
Borderline Personality
RO-DBT TREATS
-
Trauma
-
Anorexia
-
Autism Spectrum
-
Severe Anxiety (GAD)
-
Narcissistic/Paranoid/Avoidant PD
-
Severe/Chronic Depression (MDD)
-
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
-
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
DBT Targets
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Eliminating life threatening behaviors: no self-harm
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Therapy interfering behaviors: are actions that block progress in treatment, including avoiding participation, not doing homework or diary cards/BCA’s, missing or being late to sessions, lying or withdrawing in therapy, creating repeated crises, using panic or hospitalization to avoid sessions, or doing anything that reduces the therapist’s ability or motivation to help.
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Quality of life-threatening behaviors: Unstable living conditions; decrease PTSD; high risk sexual behavior; extreme financial issues that interfere with nutrition; safety or life stability; extreme dysfunctional IE skills; behaviors that interfere with employment/education
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increasing behaviors skills in mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and radical openness
RO-DBT Focus
Core Behavioral Targets of RO-DBT
The primary goal is to shift from excessive self-control to "radical openness." Key targets include:
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Reduced Social Connectedness: Addressing extreme social distance, aloofness, or loneliness.
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Rigid/Rule-Governed Behavior: Decreasing perfectionism, a high need for structure, and inflexible, rigid thinking.
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Inhibited Emotional Expression: Targeting the masking of inner feelings, the inability to express emotions, and a lack of spontaneity.
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Maladaptive Social Signaling: Modifying behaviors that inhibit social connection, such as lack of eye contact, unexpressive facial expressions, and a "shut down" demeanor.
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Hyper-vigilance/Caution: Decreasing intense, cautious behaviors and excessive risk aversion.