INSIGHTS & RESOURCES

Thinking, Research and Resources on Open Dialogue

Whether you are a family member looking for hope, or a clinician looking for evidence, we have curated the most important resources to help you understand this way of working.

Open Dialogue is more than just a technique; it is a fundamental shift in how we understand mental health. Below, you will find our latest reflections, the core principles of the practice, and the academic evidence that supports it.

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Research & Resources

Open Dialogue is supported by decades of research, originating in Western Lapland and now continuing in major trials across the UK, USA, and Europe. Here are the key open-source papers and studies.

The Landmark Outcomes

Five-year experience of first-episode nonaffective psychosis in Open Dialogue (Seikkula et al., 2006): The foundational study from Western Lapland showing that after 5 years, 83% of patients had returned to full employment or studies, and very few required long-term medication.

19-year outcomes of Open Dialogue-based Psychiatric Services (Bergström et al., 2018): A long-term follow-up study confirming significantly lower mortality rates and lower disability allowances for patients treated via Open Dialogue compared to standard care.

Current Major Trials

The ODDESSI Trial (UK): The “Open Dialogue: Development and Evaluation of a Social Network Intervention for Severe Mental Illness” trial is the largest randomised controlled trial of the approach in the world, currently being conducted within the NHS.

The 12 Key Elements of Dialogical Practice

The 12 key elements ensure the safety and integrity of the meeting, and define what exactly makes a meeting “dialogic.

Watch & Listen

Sometimes the best way to understand Open Dialogue is to see it in action. These are our recommended documentaries and talks.

Open Dialogue: An Alternative to the Medical Model: The definitive documentary by Daniel Mackler on the origins of Open Dialogue in Finland.

The Power of Open Dialogue: An interview with the founder, Dr. Jaakko Seikkula. He explains why “tolerating uncertainty” is the key to healing.

Introduction to Dialogic Practice with Mary Olson: Mary explains exactly how conversation works and why we listen differently.

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