The hearing voices network: initial lessons and future directions for mental health professionals and Systems of Care.

For more than two decades, the Hearing Voices Network (HVN) has provided alternative approaches to supporting voice hearers, and an emerging body of research is now confirming their value. HVN approaches present unique opportunities and challenges for mental health professionals and systems of care that work with individuals who hear voices. An overview of the HVN is presented, including its history, principles and approaches. HVN approaches are compared and contrasted with traditional mental health treatments. HVN's potential contribution to the transformation of mental health care is discussed. Directions for future research are presented.