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

In the following video the members of the so-called Open Dialogue Team of Mental Health Centre of Volos share, with emotional simplicity and passion, their experience of fifteen years of practice in their effort to apply Open Dialogue approach in psychotherapy. The interview is hosted by Efrossini Moureli.

Their narration unfolds a journey full of therapeutic as well as organisational challenges that point out both the possibilities and the boundaries of the approach.

The members of the team discuss the way that Open Dialogue, as an approach of always maintaining dialogue in the mainframe of the therapeutic process, along with the openness and the equality of the context, transforms how a mental crisis is being dealt with. A case study that is being discussed brings forth the power of the approach to redefine relationships, restore communication and create possibilities of new meanings to emerge in between the members of the family, the network and the therapeutic setting. Further on the conversation is about the financial and organisational boundaries of the Open Dialogue approach while applied in a public mental health institution.

At the end of their discussion the members reflect upon their work during the last few years and the possible future of Open Dialogue Approach in Greece. Concerns are pointed out having to do with the future of the approach and whether it can spread out and be established furthermore in the national mental health care system, contributing to a more humane and participatory approach of mental health care.

The Mental Health Centre of Volos is a live paradigm of how a public mental health care institution can function having the Person in its epicentre as a participant in co – deciding his/her therapeutic route while referred as patient. Among those who were inspired by the endeavour and who contributed to its implementation was Efrossini Moureli as well as the beginning and the journey of the team, (Psychiatrist MSc, PhD, Group Analyst, Systemic Psychotherapist, Trainer, and Supervisor). Ms. Moureli stood by the team’s members from their initiative steps in the Systemic Approach training and continued consistently with her guidance both in the preparatory stages as well in the main training of Open Dialogue. With steadiness, support, and deep knowledge, she was an important pillar and a valuable guide throughout the entire training journey.

With regards to Metalogos that has accompanied the team’s work throughout the 15 years of its practice from the members.