So… what actually happens in a Balint group?

By Brad McLean

MSc (Psychotherapy), CTA (P), Balint group leader, PACFA registered clinical psychotherapist, Certified Supervisor

If you ask people who’ve been in Balint groups to explain what they are, you often see them hesitate. They might say things like “it’s a reflective group for clinicians” or “we talk about cases,” but those descriptions never quite capture the atmosphere in the room.

Balint groups sit somewhere between supervision, group dreaming, transference and countertransference exploration and something more elusive. They create a particular kind of space where the ordinary details of clinical work - a throwaway comment from a client, a moment of irritation, confusion or affection - suddenly become rich material for thinking.

The focus is on the relationship between clinician and “client,” and on the emotional currents running between them, rather than on diagnosis, management or technique.

In a typical meeting, one clinician brings a piece of work that has stayed with them. There are no slides, no formal write‑up, no expectation of a perfect formulation. The presenter speaks more or less off the cuff about what has been on their mind. After a few clarifying questions, something unusual happens: the presenter steps back, and the group takes up the work on their behalf. From there, the group begins to imagine, speculate and feel their way into what might be happening in the relationship.

For people used to supervision that leans toward problem‑solving, this can be both unsettling and deeply relieving. There is less emphasis on “what should I do?” and more curiosity about “what is going on between us?” - including what the work is stirring up in the clinician. Over time, this way of working can sharpen our sensitivity to transference and countertransference, reveal blind spots, and offer a kind of emotional companionship for the more isolating parts of practice.

If you’ve never been in a Balint group, this might all sound intriguing but a bit vague. That’s partly deliberate. Balint work is experiential by design; reading about it can only take you so far. The feel of it - the quality of attention, the safety to wonder out loud, the sense of being “held” by peers as you sit with complex feelings about your work - is something that has to be tasted to get the real flavour.

I will be offering a free, 30‑minute online introduction to Balint groups for clinicians who are Balint‑curious but unsure what to expect. In this short session, I’ll touch on:

• Where Balint work comes from and why it emerged.

• The basic structure of a Balint group.

• How it differs from supervision, reflective practice and case conferences.

• A little of what participants often report finding most valuable.

• How participants report they benefit from participation in Balint groups

I won’t run a full demonstration or ask anyone to present a case in this brief meeting - the intention is to give you a feel for the frame and open space for your questions, without giving so much detail that it flattens the experience itself.

If you’re interested in exploring your work in a slower, more relational way - and in finding language for the often-unnamed emotional life of practice - you’re very welcome to come along.

The presentation is free and runs for about 30 minutes online. To receive the link or ask a question, email Jane on info@northsidetraining.co.uk.