Is it Possible to be a Bit Dialogical? Exploring How a Dialogical Perspective Might Contribute to a Psychiatrist's Practice in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Setting

Abstract

This article explores the potential relevance of dialogical ideas to psychiatric practice and asks: Is it possible to be a bit dialogical? A practice predicament is offered as a point of reference that is explored in light of the ideas presented. The notion of voice is used to introduce some ideas that inform dialogical approaches to clinical practice. Voice is then considered with respect to a medical setting, through examination of the biopsychosocial model, psychiatry's contract with society, the example of Open Dialogues, and Recovery. The conclusion acknowledges the possibility that tension is experienced between therapeutic ideals and contextual constraints. The original question may assist the clinician in defining a set of values that acknowledges this tension.