Margot Parker M.S., LMFT #115651 Psychotherapist
Specialties
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy
RO DBT is a new evidence-based treatment for patients with emotional over-control (OC). ‘Self-control’ is usually seen as a good thing, however too much self-control can cause difficulties. Excessive self-control is associated with social isolation and poor interpersonal relations and it contributes to conditions like chronic anxiety, depression, anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, perfectionism.
​
Over-control is seen as a problem of emotional loneliness - not necessarily lacking contact with others...but lack of social connectedness with others.
​
We are social beings and the core components of emotional well-being are:
1.
Openness to feedback, even when this is challenging.
2.
Flexibility in our responses, to ever changing demands.
3.
Communication of our emotions when forming close interpersonal bonds.
Do you identify with some of the following: overworks, avoids risk and novelty, perfectionistic, struggles to really connect with others, feels like an outsider in groups, feels unappreciated and lonely, struggles to relax and be playful?
Then RO DBT may help you.
RO DBT Treatment strategies are designed to build:
1.
Self-enquiry into our habitual responses and reactions.
​
2.
Ability to manage unexpected or challenging feedback.
3.
Flexible responding to the demands of the moment.
4.
Emphasis on the importance of authentic emotional expression to build positive interpersonal relationships.
Real Dialogue
Real Dialogue has grown from Dialogue Therapy developed by Polly and her late husband, Ed Epstein, in 1983. Real Dialogue is a finely-honed structure for dialogue and inquiry that is used for resolving conflicts between equals in relationships. Real Dialogue allows us to have conflict with respect, use conflict creatively, and speak and listen to others without having to agree or compromise so that a process of inquiry can take place without dehumanizing or devaluing another’s point of view or perspective.
1.
Speaking for Yourself: Take mindful responsibility for the subjective basis of your own impressions, memories, and staying away from stating “objective facts” and/or making “we” or “you” statements.
2.
Listening Mindfully: be certain you can step into the other person’s shoes and see/hear/feel that person’s statement/message before replying to it.
3.
Remaining Curious Recognize and remain interested in what is emerging between you and the other because you know that you need both sides of an opposition in order to reach any lasting solution to problems.
These steps lead to Real Dialogue and the precious gift of being able to sit and talk with an intimate partner or anyone who is profoundly in disagreement with you.