Open dialogue (OD) is a family-oriented approach that has demonstrated good outcomes in treatment of fi rst-episode psychosis. OD focuses on communication as a joint process of constructing meaning among patients, their social networks, and professionals. The current study investigates how 42 participants experienced a training program in OD. The study comprises a cohort with a longitudinal design. Data were collected by means of semi-structured questionnaires and contained quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive analysis was performed to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings show that participants' learning outcomes and confi dence with using OD with patients, social networks, and professionals increased signifi cantly throughout the training program. Refl ection and role play were essential learning methods. Participants defi ned themselves as in-progress and considered the training program educational, engaging, and varied. Three main themes arose from the data: Developing an OD Training Program, Competence Development "From Novice to Expert, " and Participation and Commitments. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(x), xx-xx.] O pen dialogue (OD) is a familyoriented, early intervention approach that has demonstrated good outcomes in the treatment of fi rst-episode psychosis (Aaltonen et al., 2011; Bergstrøm et al., 2017; Seikkula et al., 2006; Seikkula et al., 2011). The fi rst OD approach appeared in Western Lapland, Finland, with the primary goal to create a comprehensive, psychotherapeutically oriented model of treatment within the public mental health sector to address the real and changing needs of fi rst-contact schizophrenia patients and their families (Aaltonen et al., 2011). The principles of OD are now incorporated in all psychiatric treatment in the region, regardless of diagnoses (Seikkula, 2003). The OD approach eases the accessibility of mental health