Open dialogue patterns: a pattern language for collaborative problem dissolving

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a pattern language for collaborative problem dissolution, which is called `Open Dialogue'. The Open Dialogue approach was originally developed as a psychiatric programme; however, we anticipate that it has applicability to educational and organisational situations, because it is based on the philosophy of dialogism, which is not limited to psychotherapy. In this context, we created a pattern language for supporting people who want to take the approach for psychotherapy, education and organization. This paper presents three core patterns of 30 patterns in the Open Dialogue Patterns: `Experienced World', `Various Voices' and `Co-Created Understanding'.