Supporting the Supporters: Feasibility and Acceptability of Balint Groups for Burnout Among Psychiatric Caseworkers

Psychiatric caseworkers provide direct support to individuals with severe mental illness, yet they often have limited formal clinical training, leaving them vulnerable to burnout. Balint groups have been shown to reduce burnout, enhance empathy, and improve provider-patient relationships but studies often focus on physicians and resident trainees. This Quality Improvement project sought to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Balint groups for reducing burnout in psychiatric caseworkers at an urban safety net community mental health center. Fourteen caseworkers employed at an urban safety-net community mental health center voluntarily participated in biweekly Balint groups and completed anonymous assessments of burnout, depression, anxiety, along with group feedback surveys. One participant did not complete baseline burnout assessments. Ten of 13 participants reported burnout via emotional exhaustion at baseline and over half of participants reported moderate anxiety at baseline (n = 8). Ten participants completed follow-up assessments. Most reported at least some improvement in job satisfaction, self-reflection, and awareness of limitations. Formally assessed burnout did not significantly change at follow-up. Anxiety was significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up (median 24 vs. 22.5, p = .036). Balint groups were feasible and well-accepted by psychiatric caseworkers in our healthcare setting. Nearly 90% of participants reported Balint groups were helpful in reducing their burnout; however, this finding was not reflected by established questionnaires. Given the high rates of burnout and anxiety in this profession, similar institutions may consider adopting this model, and formal research is warranted to more rigorously evaluate efficacy.