RO-DBT Programme

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, known as RO-DBT, is an evidence-based treatment for emotional overcontrol.

While standard DBT is often used to support people who experience intense, rapidly shifting emotions and impulsive behaviours, RO-DBT is designed for people who tend to internalise distress, appear highly controlled, and may feel lonely or disconnected despite outward competence.

RO-DBT helps clients develop greater flexibility, openness, emotional expression, and social connection by addressing patterns such as excessive self-control, emotional inhibition, rigid thinking, perfectionism, and difficulty expressing vulnerability.

Who RO-DBT May Help

RO-DBT may be helpful for people who experience:

• high-achieving perfectionism
• chronic or high-functioning depression
• emotional loneliness or difficulty forming close relationships  rigid or rule-bound behaviour
• overcontrol linked to autistic or neurodivergent traits  restrictive eating patterns
• difficulty expressing emotions or vulnerability

How RO-DBT Is Different from Standard DBT

Standard DBT is often used to support people who feel emotionally undercontrolled, where emotions may feel intense, fast-changing, or difficult to contain.

RO-DBT is designed for people who are more overcontrolled. This may mean they appear capable, disciplined, or high-functioning on the outside, while internally experiencing loneliness, emotional inhibition, perfectionism, or difficulty connecting with others.

The focus of RO-DBT is on increasing openness, flexibility, emotional expression, social signalling, and genuine connection with others.

Programme Structure

The RO-DBT programme consists of 30 weekly group sessions.

Sessions run online on Mondays from 10:30am to 1:00pm, including a short break, and are delivered in a structured, skills-based format. The group focuses on practical skills that help clients build flexibility, openness, emotional expression, and social connection.

The programme is facilitated by Dr Marta Santandreu Oliver and co-facilitated by Melissa Bizier, both experienced DBT clinicians with specialist interest in emotional overcontrol, neurodivergence, eating difficulties, and relationship patterns.

What to Expect

RO-DBT skills training is structured, practical, and experiential. Clients will learn skills designed to help them:

• notice patterns of overcontrol
• reduce rigid or rule-bound responding
• increase openness to feedback and new experiences  express emotions more effectively
• build social safety and connection
• respond more flexibly in relationships and everyday life

 The group provides a supportive learning environment where clients can practise skills and begin to experiment with new ways of relating to themselves and others.