Radical Openness Programme

The Radical Openness (RO) Programme is a therapeutic group delivered by the Psychology Department. The programme is based on an adaptation of DBT for “emotional over-control”, developed by Tom Lynch (Lynch, Morse, Mendelson, and Robins, 2003; Lynch et al., 2007; Lynch and Cheavens, 2008). The programme is for those who have developed an emotionally over-controlled style of coping.

The Radical Openness programme aims to enhance participants’ ability to 1) experience and express emotion 2) develop more fulfilling relationships and 3) be more open to what life can offer. The group is underpinned by a model that suggests that behavioural over-control, psychological rigidity, and emotional constriction can underlie difficulties such as recurrent depression, obsessive-compulsive characteristics and restrictive eating difficulties. Radical Openness is offered over a four month period, twice a week for eleven weeks and then once a week for four weeks.