Published: October 2025

Keywords:
Open Dialogue, Reflection, Meaning, Participation, Equality.

Open Dialogue Team of Mental Health Centre of Volos

Akasoglou Despoina (Psychologist, member of the original team for 15 years, retired), Basta Eirini (Health Visitor, Systemic Psychotherapist, member of the original team for 15 years with a 5-year break), Kampouris Ilias (Psychiatrist, member of the original team for 14 years, retired), Karkali Sotiria (Social Worker, Sociologist MSc, Systemic Psychotherapist, member of the original team for 15 years, retired), Moraitou Ioanna (Psychologist MSc, PhD, Systemic Psychotherapist, member of the original team for 15 years), Spiliotopoulos Viktor (Social Worker, Sociologist, member of the original team for 15 years). Veloni Eirini (Health Visitor, member of the original team for 15 years, retired), Voulgari Maria - Stavroula (Nurse, Educator MSc, Systemic Psychotherapist, Member of the Editorial team of Metalogos, 10 years with the team), Zacharou Lemonia (Nurse, Systemic Psychotherapist, member of the original team for 15 years).

Abstract

The main points of this discussion were:

• The Open Dialogue team works through conversation without a pre-set agenda.

• The reflective process enhances communication and understanding.

• Collaboration with wider networks is crucial for supporting patients.

• The use of medication is neither encouraged nor proposed by the team, but it is also not rejected — it is discussed openly with those who come for help.

• The Open Dialogue approach is a way of life and learning for all participants, not merely a therapeutic method.

During this discussion with the audience, after expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of the constructive role of the MHC in addressing serious psychological difficulties, strong feelings of melancholy, anger, and the need for resistance were expressed. Amid the generally discouraging social conditions in Greece, structures such as the Open Dialogue Team within the public MHC of Volos are under threat of dissolution, degradation, and regression toward outdated, medically centred models of psychological support and treatment for serious and “psychotic” conditions in individuals, families, organizations, and communities.