A 2 day introduction (10th & 11th Sept) to the history and core principles of open dialogue hosted by Dr Tansy Mayfield & Dr Andrew Vidgen

What is Open Dialogue Approach?

Open Dialogue Approach is an innovative approach to people experiencing a mental health crisis and their families/social network. It has a consistent family and social network focus, and ODA includes the person’s support network (family, friends, staff – whoever might be involved) from the beginning. This increases mutual understanding and generates support for the person in crisis in the short & long term.

What are the principles behind Open Dialogue?

Open Dialogue Approach is person-centred: it emphasises understanding the unique perspective of each person involved. Listening to the stories of what has happened - and how everyone present experiences the crisis - allows for a collaboration between the individual, their family/network and the service. Instead of the focus being on directly changing the presenting behaviour or symptoms of distress, the emphasis is on understanding as a way of allowing change to happen.

ODA is respectful, collaborative, and promotes a sense of agency: it has been described as creating “democratic partnerships between professionals and the people they serve”. It fits with recovery-oriented principles, and it sees recovery as grounded in hope, empowerment, and a supportive network.

The 2-Day Introduction

Across the two days we will introduce the history and core principles of open dialogue. We will invite you to consider dialogical listening as a doorway to practice and the role of reflections. There will be lots of opportunity for discussions and an introduction to practice.

Tansy Mayfield

Dr. Tansy Mayfield is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Lead for Psychology in the Adult Community Mental Health Teams at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. She has a long-standing interest in systemic approaches. Following her clinical training, she did a foundation and diploma in systemic therapy before going on to complete a diploma in narrative therapy and training in the open dialogue approach.

Andrew Vidgen

Dr. Andrew Vidgen is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the Psychology Lead for Rehabilitation and Recovery Services at the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. He is a Systemic Psychotherapist. Dr Vidgen has been developing open dialogue in Cardiff and Vale for over 10 years.

Dr. Mayfield and Dr. Vidgen are both trainers for the open dialogue approach within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Description supplied by the event organiser.