Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT) is a treatment for patients who suffer from emotional and behavioural over-control. Some clients lack emotional control and need interventions designed to enhance emotional and behavioural control; others, for whom RO DBT is designed, require interventions designed to relax rigid or inflexible control. RO DBT has been researched over the past 25 years for patients with chronic depression or anorexia nervosa. Research results suggest that it is effective in these, and other, hard-to-treat groups such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.

This 3 hour live interactive webinar gives mental health practitioners who are not yet familiar with (RO DBT) an overview of what type of treatment RO DBT is. Clinicians will  be able to make a more informed decision after attending this webinar on whether or not RO DBT is suitable for their clients and whether they want to learn how to practice RO DBT. No prior knowledge of RO DBT is required, this is live interactive webinar is suitable for beginners. Previous training in standard DBT is not a requirement.

Webinar Learning Objectives

1. Define the problem of overcontrol according to the four core deficits and the biosocial theory for overcontrol

2. Describe what Radical Openness is (and is not)

3. Describe the RO-DBT treatment hierarchy and modes of treatment

4. Evaluate whether RO DBT might be a suitable treatment for your clients

Please note: This is a 3 hour introductory training – the comprehensive implementation trainings comprise approximately 40-50 hours of blended learning (online and in-person training courses) or 60 hours of intensive in person training offered as 2 x 5 full day trainings, with approximately 6 months between each 5 days. More details of both can be found here: https://radicallyopen-blendedlearning.net/online-courses/

Trainer: Hope Arnold, LCSW, MA

Hope is a Supervisor and Trainer in RO DBT. She began her RO DBT training with Dr. Tom Lynch, treatment developer, in 2016. Hope continues to attend intensive trainings throughout the country and receives regular supervision from Dr. Lynch.  Hope is a co-creator of the RO DBT App for electronic diary cards and skills.

​In her clinical work, Hope is the founder of RO DBT Denver in Denver, Colorado, a center dedicated to evidence-based care and treating disorders of overcontrol. She specializes in personality disorders (Obsessive Compulsive PD, Paranoid PD, Dependent PD, Avoidant PD), eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders (special interest in female autism), and treatment-resistant disorders (depression and anxiety).

​Prior to opening RO DBT Denver, Hope was in private practice at the DBT Center of Houston and was the RO DBT Lead Clinician.  She led a team of six clinicians intensively trained in RO DBT and supervised the team member’s skill development. Hope completed her Intensive Training in DBT and Prolonged Exposure Therapy through Behavioral Tech.  Hope is also trained in Jungian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. She has master’s degrees in social work from the University of Houston and psychology from Saybrook University with a concentration in Jungian studies.

​Hope has presented at the local, national, and international level on topics related to DBT, RO DBT, and Jungian Theory.