Cascade Crest Transitions (CCT) is excited to announce introducing Radically Open Dialectal Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) into their clinical modality. RO DBT is a newer addition to the therapeutic curriculum at Cascade Crest Transitions and so a bit about what it is, who benefits from it, and the format in which it is offered.

RO DBT (Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a curriculum that helps clients look at their relationship with control, and assess on a spectrum if they fit with a more under-controlled or over-controlled personality type. While classical DBT is aimed more at the under-controlled client, RO DBT targets clients who are struggling with over control which can present itself in diagnoses such as chronic depression, treatment-resistant anxiety, and maladaptive perfectionism.  

What does over-controlled mean?  

The overcontrolled client tends to struggle with things like low receptivity and openness, low flexible control, inhibited emotional expression and low emotional awareness, as well as low social connectedness and intimacy with others. In short, maladaptive over-control can be described as a condition of chronic loneliness.  

What skills does Radically Open DBT teach?

While the curriculum is extensive but includes: 

• Loving Kindness Mediation: This is a practice that fosters a sense of kindness towards oneself, as well as a practice in cultivating warmth and well wishes for others. This practice can lead to a higher sense of connection with self and others 
• Dialectics: This is a way to practice more complex thinking and getting out of a rigid, black and white thinking model. Here we can hold space for everyone’s perspective to be valid, without being in conflict or having to decide who is right.  
• Radical Openness: This is a practice of letting go of one’s perspective and seeing the world from someone else’s “shoes”. By sticking with what we know, we may feel safe, but we also may remain stuck. Understanding that we all have bias from our personal experience, Radical Openness suggests that we are unable to see the world as it is, but instead we see the world as we are.  
• Self-Inquiry: This is the practice of leaning into discomfort, instead of running away, and asking ourselves “what is it that I need to learn here?” Rather than seeking answers, we seek to ask ourselves good questions. The focus is on self-discovery, and we remain suspicious of quick answers. We hope to foster a healthy sense of self doubt that keeps us open and humble enough to grow.  
• Outing Oneself: This is the practice of letting others into your process of self-discovery. We practice naming our mistakes, sharing new questions we are asking ourselves, and making repair when we acknowledge that we have hurt or wronged others. The over controlled client’s natural response to mistakes is to defend or mask as a way to avoid revealing fallibility or weakness. We go opposite to this and own our blind spots and areas for growth together.  

At CCT, students do a month-long deep dive into their relationship with control by meeting with a small group of students and a staff twice a week. Each meeting includes a guided loving kindness meditation, time to share and discuss reflections from the given journal prompt, and education around the core elements listed above. Student’s report a higher sense of openness and a greater ability to self-reflect without falling into rumination, overthinking, and self-criticism after this month together. Let us know if you have any questions.  
 

About Cascade Crest Transitions

Founded in 2011, Celebrating 10years!  Cascade Crest Transitions has been an industry leader in aftercare/transitional programming for young adults. We work with young adults in a co-ed setting between the ages of 18-23. CCT offers continued therapeutic and academic support, a sober setting, a safe community, along with real-life experiences. Cascade Crest is located in beautiful Bend, Oregon.