Based on more than twenty years of research, radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RO-DBT) is a groundbreaking, diagnostic approach to helping individuals suffering from difficult-to-treat emotional control disorders (OC), such as anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and treatment-resistant depression. Written by the founder of RO-DBT, Thomas Lynch, this comprehensive volume highlights the core theories of RO-DBT and provides a framework for applying RO-DBT in individual therapy.

While traditional dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has shown tremendous success in treating individuals with emotional expression dysfunctions, few resources exist for treating individuals with control disorders. OC has been associated with social isolation, distant relationships, mental rigidity, risk avoidance, strong need for structure, limited emotional expression, and over-perfectionism. However, due to the high value society places on the ability to delay gratification and suppress public displays of destructive emotions and impulses, the problems associated with OC have received little attention or have been misunderstood. Indeed, people with OC are often regarded as highly successful by others, even as they suffer silently and alone.

RO-DBT is based on the premise that psychological well-being involves the integration of three factors: receptivity, flexibility, and social connectedness. RO-DBT seeks to address these important factors and is the world's first treatment to prioritize social signaling as the primary mechanism of change, based on a diagnostic, neuroregulatory model linking the communicative function of human emotions with the creation of social connectedness and well-being. Therefore, RO-DBT is a valuable resource for treating a variety of disorders associated with control and lack of social connectedness, such as anorexia nervosa, chronic depression, postpartum depression, treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, as well as personality disorders such as avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, and paranoid personality.

Written for mental health professionals, educators, or simply those interested in psychological health, this pioneering book - along with the companion guide "Radically Open Dialectical Clear Strategy Therapy" (available separately) - provides everything needed to understand and apply this exciting new therapy in individual treatment - including theories, history, research, ongoing studies, clinical examples, and future directions.