What are older people’s experiences of Radically Open – Dialectical Behavioural Therapy? A service evaluation

This service evaluation considers the experiences of older people attending Radically Open – Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (RO-DBT) in an NHS Later Life service. Five participants were interviewed about their experiences of attending RO-DBT classes. Their responses were analysed using thematic analysis, yielding five themes: 1. RO-DBT can be useful to people’s everyday lives, but it is not useful for everyone; 2. RO-DBT includes several effective processes; 3. The content of RO-DBT is helpful but wordy; 4. Age and characteristics associated with later life can impact engagement levels with RO-DBT; 5. The class offers the opportunity to build relationships and practice skills. Recommendations developed from the findings, to enhance the experience of future members of RO-DBT classes and considerations to influence the provision of RO-DBT for older people across NHS services, are provided.