4/8/2025
Leaders: Frank Dornfest, MD, and Connie Hixson, MD
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Eastern Time/4:00pm - 5:00pm Pacific Time
Number of meetings and Dates: Ten (10) monthly meetings on the following Tuesdays: April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9, 2025 and January 13, 2026.
Fee:
$250 for ABS Members
$400 for non-members
Cancellation Policy:
If canceled by the ABS or hosts due to insufficient registrants, those registered will receive their money back. Otherwise, no return of fee is possible, including in the event of registrant's partial attendance or inability to complete the sequence of sessions.
1. Registrants must be clinically active and willing to present cases.
2. Balint work can stir strong emotions. If the registrant is at an unusually stressful period in their life, we recommend they sign up at another time.
3. Because the success of the group depends in part on cohesion, steady attendance matters. Registrants must intend to attend all sessions of the group.
Target Audience
This series is appropriate for clinicians new to the Balint Group method as well as experienced Balint Group leaders. Suitable for those in active practice including physicians (primary care, psychiatry, other specialists), nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, and others.
Accreditation
The AAFP has reviewed Balint Group - Decreasing Isolation with Peer Consultation, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit.
AMA/AAFP Equivalency: AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.
The American Balint Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The American Balint Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Grievance Policy:
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of Rebekah Schiefer, Committee Chair.
The attendee limit has been reached for this event.
4/23/2025 - 4/26/2025
The four-day Intensive cours
e is designed to teach Balint group leadership technique primarily through experiential groups, supplemented by topic-focused small discussion groups and faculty panel discussions. Attendees will have ample time to present cases, practice leading a Balint group, and engage informally with other participants.
The Spokane Leadership Intensive course is appropriate for clinicians new to the Balint Group method as well as experienced Balint Group leaders. The course is well-suited to those who are currently leading, expect to lead in the future, or are seeking a better understanding of Balint groups. The curriculum is appropriate for physicians (primary care, psychiatry, other specialists), psychologists, social workers, other mental health care providers, veterinarians, and pastoral care providers.
Cancellation Policy
Registrants wishing to cancel their registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline of March 12, 2025. For cancellations received by the cancellation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees and the refund will occur within 30 days of acknowledgment of cancellation. For cancellations received after the deadline, no refunds will be available.
ABS Grievance Policy
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the Course Directors, Janet Walker, janetwalker3@icloud.com; or Jill Romm, jillianromm@gmail.com.
Location: Ruby River Hotel
700 N Division St
Spokane, WA 99202
Registration has Closed for this event.
5/2/2025 - 5/4/2025
Health care professionals are invited to attend the Healing, Mindfulness and Compassion Retreat at the beautiful and tranquil Ratna Ling Conference Center in the Redwoods of Sonoma County, California. The weekend conference combines Eastern and Western approaches to healing: Tibetan Yoga and Meditation as well as Balint sessions that address the complex emotional landscape of the clinician-patient relationship. The Balint group format is an empathy-enhancing practice to strengthen treatment alliances, improve care delivery, increase practitioner resilience and decrease professional isolation. Further context on the neuroscience of compassion and its importance in the provision of effective service will increase understanding of the connection between practitioners’ self-care and the care they are able to offer others. The accommodations and architecture are exquisite and the weekend is educational, restful, and rejuvenating.
Cancellation Policy
Registrants wishing to cancel their registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline of March 14, 2025. For cancellations received by the cancelation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees and the refund will be issued within 30 days of acknowledgment of the cancellation. For cancellations received after the cancellation date, no refunds will be available.
Complete Event Details
Location: Ratna Ling
Registration for this event is full, but you can add yourself to the waitlist. If other attendees cancel people from the waitlist will be added in order.
5/16/2025
An online Balint Group is now forming which will meet the third Friday of each month at 3pm Pacific. The series will begin in May and run through December. Registration is limited to 8 participants to ensure everyone has an opportunity to present a case. Because group cohesiveness affects participants’ experience of the group, and a minimum number of participants are required to hold a session, registrants are asked to commit to attending all sessions. Please do not plan to arrive late, leave early or miss sessions, etc.
Leaders:
Daniel Brass, MD, Daniel Brass is a psychiatrist in private psychotherapy practice in Melbourne, Australia. He is an accredited ('credentialed') Balint group leader and current president of the Balint Society of Australia and New Zealand (BalintANZ). Daniel is working towards a PhD on 'Balint groups across the medical careerspan' in the Department of Medical Education at the University of Melbourne.
Kathy Knowlton, PhD, is an ABS Supervisor and past president. She is retired from a private practice in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in Seattle. She stays absurdly busy leading Balint groups for all kinds of medical and mental health practitioners. She also owns a bookstore and has two grandkids plus a dog and a cat.
Meeting Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm Eastern Time/3:00 - 4pm Pacific Time. The initial meeting will be 90 minutes to allow for introductions and an overview of the Balint method. Subsequent meetings will be 60 minutes.
Number of meetings and Dates: Eight (8) monthly meetings on the following Fridays: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21, and December 19, 2025.
Fee:
$200 for ABS Members
$320 for non-members
Cancellation Policy:
If canceled by the ABS or hosts due to insufficient registrants, those registered will receive their money back. Otherwise, no return of fee is possible, including in the event of registrant's partial attendance or inability to complete the sequence of sessions.
1. Registrants must be clinically active and willing to present cases.
2. Balint work can stir strong emotions. If the registrant is at an unusually stressful period in their life, we recommend they sign up at another time.
3. Because the success of the group depends in part on cohesion, steady attendance matters. Registrants must intend to attend all sessions of the group.
Target Audience
This series is appropriate for clinicians new to the Balint Group method as well as experienced Balint Group leaders. Suitable for those in active practice including physicians (primary care, psychiatry, other specialists), nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, and others.
Accreditation
The AAFP has reviewed Balint Group - Decreasing Isolation with Peer Consultation, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit.
AMA/AAFP Equivalency: AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.
The American Balint Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The American Balint Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Grievance Policy:
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of Rebekah Schiefer, Committee Chair.
Registration ends on 5/11/2025
7/8/2025 - 7/14/2025
We are excited to invite you to experience Balint Groups integrated into a six day, five night sea kayaking adventure! The trip departs from and returns to Gustavus, Alaska, paddling to the Myriad Islands which lie on the edge of the West Chichagof-Yakobi Island Wilderness area, and within the Tongass National Forest. A protected wilderness, this area is teeming with life and where you'll likely see otters, dolphins, brown bears, and bald eagles. Kayak tours of the Myriad Islands are limited to groups of 10, so this trip is guaranteed to provide a peaceful respite.
We've contracted Spirit Walker Expeditions as your guide for this sea kayaking and camping experience. Spirit Walker has been leading expeditions in Alaska since 1987 and will be providing two experienced guides to lead our group. The expedition price for the six day tour is $3038. In addition, there is an American Balint Society fee of $250 for ABS members or $325 for non-members which covers the cost of CE/CME, Credentialed Balint Leaders for 10 Balint Groups, and coordination of the trip.
Event Details
Tour Reservation Cancellation Policy
If a registrant needs to cancel their tour reservation and their spot cannot be filled by an individual from the waitlist, the following fees apply:
Cancellation before April 7, 2025: $100 cancellation fee
Cancellation between April 7 - May 7, 2025: 50% of the trip cost
Cancellation on May 8, 2025 or later: 100% of the trip cost
If the trip is cancelled by the ABS a full refund of fees will be issued.
Cancellation Policy - ABS Fee Registrants wishing to cancel their ABS registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline of April 6, 2025. For cancellations received by the cancellation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees and the refund will occur within 30 days of acknowledgment of cancellation. For cancellations received after the deadline, no refunds will be available.
Grievance Policy
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the trip leaders, Sandra Relyea,sandrajr8@gmail.com; or Mat Harrison, mathewj.harrison@googlemail.com.
ABS Grievance Policy
Registration ends on 4/6/2025
9/4/2025 - 9/7/2025
The four-day Intensive course is designed to teach Balint group leadership technique primarily through experiential groups, supplemented by topic-focused small discussion groups and faculty panel discussions. Attendees will have ample time to present cases, practice leading a Balint group, and engage informally with other participants.
The Charleston Leadership Intensive course is appropriate for clinicians new to the Balint Group method as well as experienced Balint Group leaders. The course is well-suited to those who are currently leading, expect to lead in the future, or are seeking a better understanding of Balint groups. The curriculum is appropriate for physicians (primary care, psychiatry, other specialists), psychologists, social workers, other mental health care providers, veterinarians, and pastoral care providers.
The conference will be held at the Francis Marion in downtown Charleston. Located on Marion Square, the hotel is within walking distance of the magnificent gardens, house museums, antique shops, restaurants and nightlife that has made Charleston one of the south's premier cities.
Cancellation Policy
Registrants wishing to cancel their registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline of July 7, 2025. For cancellations received by the cancellation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees and the refund will occur within 30 days of acknowledgment of cancellation. For cancellations received after the deadline, no refunds will be available. Due to the possibility of severe weather in Charleston at this time of year, we strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance in the event of flight disruptions impacting your ability to attend the conference. Registration refunds after July 7, 2025, will only be possible if the conference is cancelled by the ABS.
ABS Grievance Policy
Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the Course Directors, Alec Chessman, chessman@musc.edu or Allison Bickett, allison.bickett@atriumhealth.org
Location: Francis Marion
387 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Registration ends on 7/7/2025