The Power of Open Dialogue. Conversation with Dr Jaakko Seikkula

Dr. Jaakko Seikkula is a psychologist, family therapist, researcher and one of the creators of the Open Dialogue method – the most effective method of treating people in mental crisis (also called psychosis or schizophrenia). After Open Dialogue therapy, nine out of ten people start working and return to normal life. Every person is an infinite source of possibilities as long as they have a sense of freedom and responsibility for themselves. This was the secret to the success of the innovative treatment approach with people in acute mental health crisis in Finland. Everyone sat together in a circle – a doctor, a psychologist, a social worker, a family and a patient with symptoms of psychosis or schizophrenia. Everyone had an equal right to speak and no one had any ready-made answers. The joint conversation was supposed to lead to the emergence of words and solutions that no one had been aware of before, thanks to the dynamics of mutual relations. This is how the most important assumption of the method later called Open Dialogue was created.

*** Please never stop taking your medication without consulting a trained professional. Abrupt discontinuation of psychiatric drugs can be dangerous to your health and life.

*** If you are taking medications, follow your doctor’s instructions and, if necessary, work with your doctor to gradually stop taking them.

*** This video is not a medical recommendation. The information contained in this video is educational in nature and is not intended to replace individual medical advice provided by a trained professional.