Balint Group Process An Introduction to Balint Work

Balint Group Process: An Introduction to Balint Work Ritch Addison, Ph. D (Greg Troll, Jill Romm, Chiara Ghetti, Jeff Sternlieb contributed to earlier versions) The American Balint Society www. American. Balint. Society. org

Outline n n n Who was Balint? What is and isn’t a Balint Group? The Method Group Experience and Discussion Opportunities, Resources

Who was Balint? n n Born in 1896 in Budapest, son of a GP Psychoanalytic training in Berlin and Budapest, emigrated to London, worked at Tavistock Clinic Began training/research seminars for GPs after WW II with 3 rd wife, Enid 1957 “The Doctor, his Patient and the Illness” published

“At the center of medicine there is always a human relationship between a patient and a doctor. ” -Michael Balint

What a Balint Group is not n n n n Not didactic, prescriptive, advice giving Psychotherapy Group Encounter Group Traditional Case Consultation Group M&M Conference Topic Discussion Group Personal and Professional Development Group

Characteristics of a Balint Group n n n Fixed membership Two leaders Focus on clinician-patient relationship Case presentation, without notes Confidentiality Less conscious aspects of relationship

Balint Norms Imagination Possibility Avoid Advice Authenticity

The Group Convenes Leader

Calling for the Case Leader Who’s got a case? Leader

Presentations q Spontaneous q Conflicted q Troubled q Unfinished q Ongoing?

Group Process Leader II do. Leader

The Case Arrives Leader Angela is a 79 yr old blind woman…. Leader Presenter

Clarifying Questions Leader Are there any clarifying questions? Leader Presenter

The Presenter Gets to Listen Leader Why don’t we let the presenter just listen while we hold the case Leader

The Group Starts Working Leader I imagine Angela to be… Leader Presenter

Imagining Patient and Clinician Leader If I were the provider, I might feel… Leader Presenter

Group Exploration Continues Leader This image just popped into my mind of a… Leader Presenter

Functions of Group Members n n Explore clinician-patient relationship Look inward, be imaginative, creative, look for less conscious aspects Attend to and share thoughts, images, fantasies, associations, speculations about patient, clinician and relationship Differentiate one’s own experience from presenter’s

Functions of Balint Leaders n n n Create and maintain a safe space Protect presenter and group members Listen on multiple levels Encourage reflection, empathy, curiosity, compassion, imagination Attend to group structure, development Debrief with co-leader after each group

Functions of a Balint Group n n n To provide a safe place for emotional reflection on troubling cases To help presenter consider other understandings about the case To look at blind spots, assumptions To help members feel less isolated, less shame, more open to learn To help members grow and develop

Benefits for Clinicians n n n n Practice reflection Refine relationship skills Listen and learn from others’ cases Experience the power of a group Connect with others Increase engagement and resilience Avoid burnout, impairment Remember what matters about our work

Upcoming Opportunities n n Balint Leadership Training Intensive: Santa Rosa, CA, March 3 -6, 2016 Healing, Mindfulness and Compassion: Ratna Ling, Sonoma County, CA, April 15 -17 and October 14 -16, 2016 National Meeting, Chicago, IL, July 2016 International Balint Congress, Oxford, England; September, 2017

Resources American Balint Society http: //www. americanbalintsociety. org/ n International Balint Federation http: //www. balintinternational. com/ n Ratna Ling Retreat Center http: //ratnaling. org n raddison@sonic. net (707) 576 -9813 n