Workshops

Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

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Presenter: Tom Lynch, Ph.D.
Date: Monday, January 26th – Tuesday, January 27th, 2015 9am – 4:30pm
Location: Italian Cultural Centre, Trattoria Hall, 3075 Slocan St, Vancouver BC

Download print version of this page and registration form.

About the Workshop

Based on 19 years of research, including two NIMH funded trials, Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT) is a new treatment targeting over-controlled behaviour (OC). It has been used to treat some of the rigid responses and emotional inhibition thought to underlie many treatment-resistant conditions.

Who is the Treatment for?

Patients who have a diagnosis of Chronic Depression, Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa, Avoidant, Paranoid and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

What do these Disorders have in Common?

Self-control, the ability to inhibit competing urges, impulses, or behaviours is highly valued by most societies. However, excessive self-control has been linked to social isolation, poor interpersonal functioning, hyper perfectionism, rigidity, risk aversion, lack of emotional expression, and the development of severe and difficult-to-treat mental health problems, such as anorexia nervosa, obsessive compulsive personality disorder and refractory depression.

RO-DBT posits emotional loneliness as the core problem underlying maladaptive overcontrol. Heightened threat sensitivity and diminished reward sensitivity are hypothesized to transact with early family experiences emphasizing “mistakes intolerable” and “self-control imperative” to produce overcontrolled coping. A novel thesis linking the communicative functions of emotional expression to the formation of close social bonds will be introduced, as well as new skills emphasizing receptivity, self-enquiry and flexible responding. New approaches to activate a neurobiologically-based social-safety system, signal cooperation, enhance forgiveness, and change envy/bitterness will be introduced; using videos and role play.

For more information on RO-DBT go to www.radicallyopen.net.

Objectives:

• Overview of treatment structure
• Recognize a new biosocial theory for OC and new RO-‘DBT treatment strategies designed to enhance willingness for self- inquiry and flexible responding
• Identify new skills designed to enhance intimate relationships and vulnerable expression of emotion, learn from critical feedback, and enhance loving- kindness-forgiveness
• Identify a novel treatment mechanism positing open expression = trust = social connectedness
• Examples of strategies designed to improve pro-social cooperative signalling via activation of the parasympathetic nervous system’s social-safety system

This intermediate level workshop is intended for psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, addiction counselors and other mental health professionals. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING IN STANDARD DBT IS NOT REQUIRED.

Space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged.

About the Speaker

Professor Lynch is an international expert on personality disorders and is Director of the Emotion and Personality Bio-behavioural Laboratory in the School of Psychology at the University of Southampton. He is a world-leading researcher and treatment developer. He is currently the Chief Investigator on PROJECT REFRAMED, an NHS multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial investigating Radical Openness for Treatment-Resistant Depression.

CE Credits

The DBT Centre of Vancouver is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association as a provider of continuing education activities. Attendees will receive a certificate confirming attendance for 12 CE credits.

Meals

The workshop includes coffee, tea, lunch, and snacks during breaks. Lunch consists of sliced fresh fruit and vegetables, beverages, and a variety of sandwiches, including vegetarian options. Please let us know if you require a gluten-free meal or have other dietary restrictions.

Cancellation Policy

The DBT Centre of Vancouver will provide refunds for registration fees up to 14 days prior to a scheduled workshop. Refunds will not be provided for cancellations occurring with less than 14 days notice. Refunds are subject to a $50 administrative fee.