This highly readable book provides a comprehensive examination of the use of Open Dialogue as a treatment for psychosis. It presents the basic principles and practice of Open Dialogue, explains the training needed to implement it and explores how it is being offered internationally.

Open Dialogue for Psychosis includes first-hand accounts by individuals, families and trainees of their experiences of the process. It explains how aspects of Open Dialogue have been introduced in services around the world, its overlap with and differentiation from other psychological approaches and its potential integration with biological and pharmacological considerations. The book concludes with a substantive section on the research available and its limitations.

Open Dialogue for Psychosis will be a key text for clinicians and administrators interested in this unique approach. It will also be suitable for people who have experienced psychosis and members of their families and networks, particularly those who recognise that services need to change for the better but are seeking guidance on how this can be achieved.

Contents

Foreword. Introduction. Section 1: Introducing Open Dialogue for Psychosis. Putman, What is Open Dialogue, and how is it relevant to psychosis? Aaltonen & Alakere, The historical development of Open Dialogue and its relevance to those with psychosis. Seikkula, Psychosis is a response to traumatic life events. Dialogue is a cure for it! Shotter, Response and the practicalities of a loving relationship. Family and Individual experiences of Open Dialogue. Quantitative and qualitative research in Open Dialogue. Section 2: Training in Open Dialogue. Putman, The Core Training for Open Dialogue including training for working with psychosis. Adaptations of training to different settings. Section 3: Applications of Open Dialogue for Psychosis: International Perspectives. Multiple Contributors, Open Dialogue in different contexts. Multiple Contributors, Open Dialogue for different client groups. Gordon, OD and the problem with the primacy of neurobiological approaches. Opening the Dialogue with other approaches, settings, issues and circumstances. Epilogue: Reflections and future possibilities.