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Helping Emotionally Guarded Individuals Build More Meaningful Connection and Flexibility
At the Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment, we offer Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), an evidence-based treatment for individuals who struggle with excessive self-control, perfectionism, emotional inhibition, rigidity, and chronic loneliness.
While self-control and achievement are often valued in our culture, too much control can interfere with emotional expression, flexibility, and close relationships. RO-DBT helps individuals become more open, emotionally expressive, and socially connected.
Research supports RO-DBT for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive personality traits, anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum conditions, and other difficulties associated with overcontrol.
We provide RO-DBT individual therapy and skills classes both via telehealth and in-person at our office in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Page Overview
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is an evidence-based treatment designed for individuals who struggle with excessive self-control, perfectionism, emotional inhibition, and rigidity. Rather than focusing on impulsive behaviors, RO-DBT helps individuals become more:
RO-DBT may be helpful for individuals who appear highly capable on the outside but privately struggle with emotional loneliness, chronic tension, or difficulty relaxing around others. Common signs of overcontrol include:
Research has shown RO-DBT may help individuals experiencing:
RO-DBT is considered a transdiagnostic treatment, meaning it targets underlying overcontrol patterns that can appear across multiple diagnoses.
Overcontrol can show up in many different ways. Some individuals become highly perfectionistic and rigid, while others appear emotionally distant or overly agreeable. Common patterns include:
RO-DBT teaches skills focused on increasing openness, flexibility, and social connection. Clients learn skills to:
RO-DBT treatment at UCEBT includes weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly RO-DBT skills classes, and optional phone coaching between sessions. Skills classes include mindfulness exercises, experiential activities, homework review, and new skills teaching designed to help clients apply RO-DBT skills in everyday life.
Gain clarity, build resilience, and create meaningful change. Let’s work together to help you thrive and achieve the life you envision.
