Institute For Dialogic Practice Institute For Dialogic Practice

About The Open Dialogue Approach

The Institute For Dialogic Practice, Open Dialogue, Dialogic Practice, dialogical, dialogical approach, mental health care, healing psychosis, depression, psychosis, fidelity, new york society for ethical culture, psychotherapy, open dialogue Finland, client centered psychotherapy, Mary OlsonOpen Dialogue is an innovative, network-based approach to psychiatric care that was first developed in the 1980s by a  multidisciplinary team at Keropudas Hospital in Tornio, Finland. It is a new approach to mental healthcare. In contrast to standard treatments for early psychosis and other crises, Open Dialogue emphasizes listening and understanding and engages the social network from the very beginning – rather than relying solely on medication and hospitalization. It comprises both a way of organizing a treatment system and a form of therapeutic conversation, or Dialogic Practice, within that system.

The basic vehicle of Open Dialogue is its radically altered version of the treatment meeting, which typically occurs within 24 hours of the initial call to the crisis service. This treatment meeting gathers together everyone connected to the crisis, including the person at the center, their family and social network, all professional helpers and anyone else closely involved. Throughout this process there are no separate staff meetings to talk about the “case.” Rather, all discussions and decisions take place in the treatment meeting with everyone present.

Key Principles of Open Dialogue Practices

  • The Institute For Dialogic Practice, Open Dialogue, Dialogic Practice, dialogical, dialogical approach, mental health care, healing psychosis, depression, psychosis, fidelity, new york society for ethical culture, psychotherapy, open dialogue Finland, client centered psychotherapy, Mary OlsonImmediate help that begins with a treatment meeting within 24 hours
  • A social perspective that includes the gathering of clinicians, family members, friends, co-workers and other relevant persons for a joint discussion
  • Embracing uncertainty by encouraging open conversation and avoiding premature conclusions and treatment plans
  • Creating a dialogue, or a sense of “with-ness” rather than “about-ness” with meeting participants by dropping the clinical gaze and listening to what people say – rather than what we think they mean

With an emphasis on being responsive to the needs of the whole person, instead of trying to eradicate symptoms, studies have shown that the Open Dialogue approach leads to a reduction in hospitalization, the use of medication and recidivism when compared with standard treatments. In one five-year study, for example, 83% of patients had returned to their jobs or studies or were looking for a job (Seikkula et al. 2006). In the same study, 77% did not have any residual symptoms.

Open Dialogue Courses

International Certification Training in Dialogic Practice

Introductory Intensive in Dialogic Practice in Open Dialogue

Open Dialogue Workshops

Open Dialogue Skills for Parents of Teenagers and Young Adults

Institute Faculty

The Institute For Dialogic Practice, Open Dialogue, Dialogic Practice, dialogical, dialogical approach, mental health care, healing psychosis, depression, psychosis, fidelity, new york society for ethical culture, psychotherapy, open dialogue Finland, client centered psychotherapy, Mary Olson The Institute is the only North American teaching facility that specializes in providing world-class training in Open Dialogue and Dialogic Practice delivered by the field’s leading experts and developers.

Institute Faculty

I, the peer and the family therapist have had many wonderful network meetings with different types of families all throughout Brooklyn. The work so far has only deepened my confidence in the need for this type of dialogic and network based approach; that it can be applied in context very different from Lapland and other parts of Europe. The majority of the families are grateful for the approach – for its patience, it kindness and intimacy.

Ed Altwies, Psy.D.
Level II Graduate – IDP
Parachute-NYC