Balint groups: an Australasian perspective for psychiatrists

This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the history and scope of the Balint movement; to outline how Balint groups work; to describe what is entailed in leading a Balint group; and to give a brief overview of the current state of Balint work in Australia and New Zealand.

Balint groups provide a unique setting in which clinicians can learn how to deal well with challenging doctor-patient relationships and the feelings evoked in clinical practice. Balint work is relatively undeveloped in Australasia. There is scope for involvement by psychiatrists and trainees as both participants and facilitators.