A model of treating posttraumatic disorders in the Open Dialogue Approach (ODA) exemplified by the Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present current views on the meaning of trauma and its treatment by the use of Open Dialogue Approach (ODA). Authors broadly define trauma as mental crisis that urges an immediate and comprehensive care. Views: Open Dialogue Approach with its demand on development of professional mental health structures not only meet the requirements imposed on community mental health centre (CMHC) as a core of the National Mental Health Program, but it seems to be exceptionally useful in the context of therapeutic work with traumatized patients and with people in a mental crisis. One of the main aspect of currently carried out mental health reform is the liberalization of hospital beds for those who are in severe mental crisis, substantially the raise od hospital standard for patients admitted to psychiatric hospital and to offer an ambulatory, easily accessible (local) ways of dealing with mental health problems. Conclusions: At the core of the ODA lies a broad understanding of traumatic experience and broad perception of its symptomatic and processual consequences issuing mental crisis, which requires a fast, diverse and coordinated care. ODA may be defined as an integrative and community-oriented model of mental health service that follows constantly changing patients’ needs. Available mental health structural frame – if well-coordinated – seems sufficient and could adequately respond to patient needs in the recovery process. Further prospective and methodologically well designed studies measuring method’s treatment outcomes and cost-effectiveness should be conducted.