“OPEN DIALOGUE: Applications of the Finnish Model for Early Intervention with Emerging Psychosis in Community Mental Health Systems in Vermont

 The Counseling Service of Addison County and

United Counseling Service Invite you to:

 “OPEN DIALOGUE: Applications of the Finnish Model for Early Intervention with Emerging Psychosis in Community Mental Health Systems in Vermont

Presented by:

Mary Olson, Ph.D.

Wednesday May 1, 2013

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Kirk Alumni Center: Middlebury College

Middlebury, Vermont

PRESENTER:  Mary Olson, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Associate Adjunct Professor at the Smith College School of Social Work, and the Founding Director of the Institute for Dialogic Practice. She is Co-Principal Investigator (Douglas Ziedonis, M.D.: PI) of the Open Dialogue adaptation study at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Her other research and scholarship examine dialogical transformation in psychotherapy, the effects of managed care on relational therapies, anorexia as communication, and the use of writing in therapy. Mary was a Senior Fulbright Scholar (2001-2002) to Finland in the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Jyvaskyla. From 1990-1995, she was Director of the Clinical Externship in Systemic Family Therapy at Berkshire Medical Center during the chairmanship of Carlos Sluzki, M.D., one of the founders of the family therapy field.  She has a private consulting and therapy office in the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Open Dialogue is and innovative approach to acute psychiatric crises developed in Tornio, Finland, that has demonstrated remarkable patient outcomes including reduced use of hospitalization and medication, and reduced rates of relapse. The model is one of an integrated treatment system that emphasizes rapid response to emergence of psychotic symptoms and other psychiatric crises, convening of as broad a support network around the individual as possible, collaborative and transparent decision making regarding treatment, and the cultivation of meaning and experiential understanding between individuals, treatment team members, and broader support personal networks. The abrupt closure of the Vermont State Hospital due to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene triggered a rapid expansion of community based crisis response systems. One team in Chittenden County has already begun applications of the Open Dialogue model in their new mobile crisis response services. Other community mental health programs in Vermont are currently looking at developing similar applications. This workshop will provide an opportunity for mental health practitioners to develop their understanding of the main principles of Open Dialogue, to learn about the efficacy of the model through case examples and a summary of the research, and discuss implications for applications of the approach in the context of community mental health systems in Vermont.

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

1.     To learn about the main guiding principles of the Open Dialogue model

2.     To review the outcomes research and case examples regarding the application of this model in Finland

3.     To consider possible applications of this model in the context of community mental health service systems in Vermont

CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION

·       Certificates will be provided to all participants. C.E.U. applications are in process for LICSW, LCMHC, LADC and Licensed Psychologists.

REGISTRATION:

·          For more information, contact Jennifer Smith:  jsmith@csac-vt.org  or call 388-6751. 

·          No cost to UCS and CSAC staff; Fee for other participants to be determined. Lunch is provided.

Program Schedule                  Morning                                                                                                                                     Afternoon