OPEN DIALOGUE AND DIALOGICAL PRACTICE

A training for clinicians by clinicians

Judith believes that training in clinical practice is best provided by practising clinicians who regularly encounter and address its unique challenges. She currently provides training in Open Dialogue and dialogical practice for therapists, counsellors, multidisciplinary mental health clinicians and other practitioners in the field. Training has a particular focus on the clinical skills necessary for working in this approach, whether with individuals, couples or families, and in a variety of contexts.

Training is informed by Judith’s international experiences over many years, her dialogical PhD research methodology, as well as her ongoing clinical, supervisory and training practice in the Australian context. It is uniquely informed by a recent research collaboration between Judith and a fellow Finnish therapist, which explored trainers’ and trainees’ experience of the psychotherapist’s training in Open Dialogue and dialogical practice (2016-2018).

Training is offered in the form of:

• external training for individuals and groups

  Scroll down for 2025 clinical training programmes including

  • Introductory Training (4 days): 21 - 24 August 2025

  • Dialogical Therapeutic Process (2 days): 23-24 August 2025

  • Clinical skills intensive training (2 days): Expression of interest

  • Family-of-origin small group (4 weekends over 9 months): Expression of interest

  • Advanced clinical skills training (2 days): Expression of interest

  • Seminar on Open Dialogue (1 Day): Expression of interest

• in-house training, tailored to meet specific requirements of groups or teams in terms of location, numbers, differing formats including half or full day to cover learning from seminar, introductory training or clinical skills.

CLINICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME 2025

SYDNEY, Australia

INTRODUCTION TO OPEN DIALOGUE & DIALOGICAL PRACTICE

4 days SYDNEY 21 - 24 AUGUST 2025 (Thursday - Sunday)

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• A 4 day training introducing the core concepts of the theory and practice of the Open Dialogue model of care (OD), including current practices in northern Europe, Scandinavia, UK and Australia. The primary focus of the training will be dialogical practice, the clinical practices that underpin and emerge from OD and an introduction to the dialogical process. There will be a particular focus on open network meetings and working therapeutically with families in a variety of clinical contexts. Observation and practice of clinical skills is a feature of the training.

Although the 4-day training (above) is termed 'Introduction', it is assumed that practitioners who attend have knowledge and experience of therapeutic practice in varying contexts, disciplines and modalities. The focus is on the theory and clinical practice of Dialogical Practice, as specific to Open Dialogue (OD). The 4-day training begins a process of developing and integrating clinical skills in Dialogical Practice within the existing clinical practice of those who attend.

Some comments from participants of Introduction to Open Dialogue and Dialogical Practice

‘Most helpful was definitely the link to practice and what it looks like and feels like in the room’

‘It has been a very special experience, grounded in practice and has strengthened my dialogical skills’

‘Helped me become clearer in understanding the foundations of Open Dialogue and process’

‘This has been a truly profound experience, like no other training I have attended before’

‘Containment of process into structure’

'It's all been so valuable’

2025 the dialogical therapeutic process in dialogical practice

2 days SYDNEY 23 & 24 August 2025 (Saturday and Sunday)

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A 2 day training focusing on increasing sensitivity to the nuances of the dialogical therapeutic process and dialogical moments within clinical sessions. Training methods include role play, and experiential exercises.

This 2-day training further develops and integrates an understanding of the dialogical therapeutic process in Network Meetings and in therapy sessions. It builds upon the Introductory training to Open Dialogue and Dialogical Practice and extends clinical skills in reflecting, dialogue, dialogical space, moving towards dialogical moments. There is a particular focus on the use of self, the felt sense, embodiment, intersubjectivity, moments of meeting in sessions. Experiential training with role plays involves detailed reflective analysis on the nuanced skills of managing the dialogical therapeutic process. Observation and use of clinical skills in role plays, and analysis of the nuances of the therapeutic process (trainers and group) is a feature of the training.

Introductory Course is a prerequisite (various versions)

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR TRAININGS BELOW

2025 DIALOGICAL FAMILY-OF-ORIGIN SMALL GROUPS

4 BLOCKS OF 1 or 2 DAY Weekend (PARTS 1,2,3,4)

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

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• A series of four x 1 or 2 day family-of-origin sessions over a six month period. One day groups allow for 3 participants, two day groups allow for 5 participants in each closed group. Participants prepare and bring to the sessions explorations of family-of-origin. Each day involves presentations of family-of-origin in the context of a dialogical reflective group process.

Open Dialogue Introductory Course (differing versions) is preferred, or to be discussed prior to registration.

A reflection from a past participant upon completion of the Family of Origin Groups

'It has felt important to participate in a family of origin group ever since I committed to systemic practice in my clinical work. However, I was apprehensive about finding a ‘safe enough’ approach and fit for this vulnerable work. Judith is exceptional at holding a group space and process that is open, thoughtful, safe and respectful. This provided the fit I needed. It was hard, challenging and exhausting at times. However, it helped me to see and appreciate myself, my history and my family relationships in a more real, holistic, connected and integrated way. It also helped me experience in action and ‘understand’ dialogical practice on a deeper level through the reflective processes and the relationships that developed with other group members.' 

CLINICAL SKILLS INTENSIVE IN DIALOGICAL PRACTICE - 2 Day

DATEs TO BE CONFIRMED (Friday & Saturday)

TO ENQUIRE

• A detailed focus on the development of clinical skills in dialogical practice, with particular attention to core elements of the dialogical process and core way of being dialogical in clinical sessions. A primary and intensive focus on skills practice in experiential exercises and role plays.

Open Dialogue Introductory Course (differing versions) is a prerequisite

Some comments from participants of Clinical Skills Intensive in Dialogical Practice

‘Completing the Open Dialogue training with Judith has been invaluable. The training reconnected me with the importance of ‘being with’ clients (rather than getting caught in the ‘doing to’). It provided me with deep and meaningful insights into myself as a psychologist (and human) that will continue to help my practice. Whenever I complete a training with Judith, it is like coming home to the essence of why I am a psychologist.’

‘There was enough difference in the presentation and participation that created a flow of information that could be discerned and confirmed and which energised understanding. I really enjoyed, and felt connected to the group and process of the two days .... I have felt a kind-of-reset from the experience which has led to more clarity and openness ...'

‘The clinical intensive was a great opportunity to consolidate and reflect on dialogical practice. The days were well paced with plenty of time to slow down and let your mind connect ideas from early trainings as well as practicing through roles play and other exercises with the group. The group process worked really well and Judith created a safe environment to share and practice together.’

OPEN DIALOGUE SEMINAR

1 day (Saturday) 2025 DATES to bE ADVISED

To Enquire

• This seminar is for practitioners, clinicians, peers and carers. It introduces the history of Open Dialogue and its 7 core principles, and touches upon the psychotherapeutic practice that underpins this approach. Discussion, experiential exercises & reflection will consider the origins and core principles of Open Dialogue, its relevance to mental health care in Australia and worldwide for those with mental illness, their carers & families?