Implanting Rhizomes in Vermont: a Qualitative Study of How the Open Dialogue Approach was Adapted and Implemented

The Open Dialogue approach was developed in Finland in the 1980s as a form of psychotherapy and a way to organize mental health systems. It has been adapted and implemented in several countries in recent years. This qualitative study sought to explore staff and developers’ experiences with one adaptation of the Open Dialogue approach in the state of Vermont called the Collaborative Network Approach. In total twenty two staff members from two agencies participated in focus groups and three developers of the approach were interviewed. Three dominant topics emerged in the analysis process: impact of training; buy-in across levels; and shift in organizational culture. Findings revealed that 1) participants experienced the Collaborative Network Approach as positively impacting their clinical work, relationship with clients and families, and with colleagues; 2) buy-in across levels – colleagues, management and department of mental health - was perceived as crucial to the development and implementation of the approach; 3) the main challenges to full implementation were: inadequate billing structures, costly and lengthy training, and resistance to shift organizational culture to integrate the Collaborative Network Approach into agencies. We hope to have contributed to the field in a way that will support further efforts to develop and implement Open Dialogue-informed approaches by pointing to potential successes and challenges future program developers may face.