FAQ

Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions. Reach out if you have others!

Who will coach me if I sign up for a free 1-on-1 session?

All coaching sessions are currently led by Ed Blunderfield, the founder of Open Dialogue and the co-creator of the A.I. companion app.

Ed is trained in the Integral Coaching™ method, and his approach draws on his experience in management consulting at The Boston Consulting Group, leading startup teams, as well as his training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other forms of collaborative problem solving.

Clients provide feedback on their experience, allowing us to continually improve and ensure optimal coach performance. We also plan to expand our team to offer clients a greater variety of options for the coaches they can work with.

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Will my coach be a licensed therapist?

Ed is not a licensed therapist, and he won’t diagnose or treat mental illness. However, he does leverage evidence-based techniques to effectively work through challenges and help you feel better and make meaningful progress in life.

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Are sessions confidential?

Yes, all sessions are 100% confidential. Open Dialogue follows strict confidentiality rules. Sessions are not recorded and your personal information is never shared with third parties.

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How does the app work?

The Open Dialogue app is designed to support you as you work towards your goals. It allows you to interact in natural language with an A.I.-based program from your mobile phone (iOS and Android) or computer.

The app can be used during moments of acute stress throughout your day, as well as during scheduled periods of self-reflection. It helps you cultivate greater self-awareness — a key ingredient leading to change and growth.

Your conversations within the app can be reviewed by yourself (or even with a trusted friend, family member or therapist) at any point in time. They consistently provide rich data for further exploration and insight.

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What are you doing with the data entered into the app?

We have built the app with security as the top priority. To that end, we not only encrypt all user data using multiple techniques, but we also allow you to create a fully anonymous account without any personally identifiable information.

Anonymized conversational logs are reviewed by the development team, solely for the purpose of improving the capabilities of the A.I. program.

Your information will never be sold or used for any purpose beyond what is explicitly outlined in the work we do together as part of Open Dialogue.

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Who else is part of the Open Dialogue team?

Mark Niehe is the web developer who has taken Ed’s AI-based program and made it accessible from any internet-connected device.

Mark Blunderfield is Ed’s father and a practicing psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He serves as an advisor and mentor to Ed, both in the development of the app’s intelligence as well as supporting Ed’s development as a guide.

We hope to grow the team in the near future, and are looking for likeminded, talented people to join us as guides, engineers and advisors. If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved, reach out to us here.

I have a question that isn't answered here. How can I get in touch with someone?

We'd love to speak with you and help answer any questions you have. You can contact us at info@opendialogue.ai or schedule a free session here.

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What’s on your mind?

Request a coaching session