Radically Open DBT for disorders of overcontrol (1 Day) Brisbane

Description

Attend this workshop to begin your understanding and application of Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy!

• Workshop Date: Wednesday 15th March 2023
• Times: Check-in 8.30am, Start 8.45am and Concludes 4.30pm
• Workshop Location: Riverside Hotel, Southbank QLD
• Facilitator: Dr. Sophie Rushbrook

Self-control, the ability to inhibit competing urges, impulses, or behaviors is highly valued by most societies. However, excessive self-control has been linked to social isolation, aloof interpersonal functioning, maladaptive perfectionism, constricted emotional expressions, and difficult-to-treat mental health problems, such as anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and refractory depression.

Based on 30 years of research, 11 published clinical trials including two NIMH-funded Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) and one multi-site RCT for refractory depression, and several open trials for anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorders, the aim of this workshop is to introduce clinicians to the theoretical foundations, treatment strategies, and new skills underlying Radically Open-Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) for disorders of overcontrol (Lynch, 2018 ).

Whilst sharing behavioral and dialectic roots with DBT, the therapeutic strategies in RO-DBT are substantially different.  For example, RO DBT contends that emotional loneliness represents the core problem of overcontrol, not emotion dysregulation. The biosocial theory for overcontrol posits that temperamental biases for heightened threat sensitivity and diminished reward sensitivity transact with early family experiences to result in an overcontrolled coping style leading to social ostracism – secondary to low openness and social signaling deficit. A novel thesis linking the communicative functions of emotional expression to the formation of close social bonds will be introduced, as well as new clinical skills linking treatment targeting to social signaling deficits. New approaches designed to activate a neurobiological-based social-safety system, signal cooperation, and encourage genuine self-disclosure will be introduced using slides, handouts, video clips, and role plays.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this one-day training, participants will be able to:

1. Explain a new biosocial theory for OC
2. Describe the RO-DBT treatment structure
3. Describe new RO-DBT treatment strategies designed to enhance willingness for self-inquiry and flexible responding.
4. Describe the RO-DBT treatment hierarchy
5. Describe a novel treatment mechanism positing open expression = trust = social connectedness
6. List examples of strategies designed to improve pro-social cooperative signaling via activation of the parasympathetic nervous system’s social-safety system

Workshop Schedule

• 8.30 am – 8.45am: Registration
• 8.45 am – 9.45 am: Overview of RO-DBT – an empirically based treatment
• 9.45 am – 10.45 am: The problem of too much self-control
• 10.45 am – 11.00 am: Morning Tea Break
• 11.05 am – 12.30 pm: The neuroregulatory  model and bio-social theory
• 12.30 pm – 1.15pm: Lunch Break
• 1.15 pm – 2.15 pm: Signalling matters and Radical Openness
• 2.15 pm – 3.15 pm: Assessing overcontrol
• 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm: Afternoon Tea Break
• 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Treatment Structure, an overview of RO skills, and an example of targeting OC maladaptive behavior