Spring Seminar 2025

Balint psychodrama

Balint psychodrama is one of the methods used to train health professionals.  It was conceived and developed by Anne Caïn, a French psychoanalyst and psychodramatist, in the spirit of Michael Balint and the group work he developed with general practitioners.  What sets it apart is the use of psychodramatic play, in which the carer is asked not only to tell the story, but also to recreate and act out moments of the encounter with the patient.

Balint psychodrama uses some techniques of psychodramatic work but is different from a role play in that it allows for fantasy and free association based on the actual interaction that had taken place in the consultation. Similarly to Balint work, it requires a case to be presented to the group as the material for the group to “play” with.

Reconstructing and reconnecting with a recalled professional scene allow the emotional, conscious and unconscious aspects that are problematic for the carer to be explored in a new way, questioning their role and even their professional identity.

In Balint psychodrama groups, we re-enact moments from the caring relationship under the active gaze and attention and involvement of all participants.

Read more: Introduction to Balint psychodrama J_P_Bachmann_paper

Presentation of the guest teachers

Dr Esti Rimmer

Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist based in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the Northeast of the UK.

Accredited Balint leader with the UK Balint Society and Accredited Balint Psychodrama leader with the AIBP.

I received Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver Colorado, and my qualification as Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from The Scottish Institute of Human Relations, Edinburgh.

I led the psychotherapy service for The NHS Mental Health Trust in Northumberland, and for 25 years led Balint groups with trainee psychiatrists, trainee GPs, Health visitors, and trainee clinical Psychologists.

I have been leading an ongoing GP Balint group for over 10 years and have been involved with training Balint leaders and accreditation and Supervision of Balint group leaders in the UK and in international conferences.

Currently I am a member of the Education and training committee of the UK Balint Society, a member of the AIBP training committee, and Co-chair of the IBF Leadership Task Force.

At present, retired from the NHS, England and working in private practice

Dr Jean-Pierre Bachmann

Specialist in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry.

Psychoanalyst (Member of the Swiss Psychoanalytical Society). Leader Balint (International Association of Balint Psychodrama, Paris, and Swiss Balint Society)

I studied medicine at the University of Geneva where I trained in adult psychiatry after two years of internal medicine and later in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Geneva).   Head of the Child Guidance Center in this clinic I was also member of the Research Unit, working with Prof. B. Cramer and Prof Dan Stern in the evaluation of parent-infant psychotherapy.  

In private practice since 1995 in Geneva.

Trained as a psychoanalyst and psychodramatist I began to lead Balint groups at the University Hospital of Geneva with medical trainees in internal medicine and with groups of public health nurses specialised in infant mental health (Child Guidance Clinic). Since the years 1990 I applied the method of Balint Psychodrama developed in France by Anne Caïn.  Co-leader of large Baling groups in the Annecy Balint Days (France) and in the Seminars of CME in France.  Past president of the Association Internationale du Psychodrame Balint (Paris).

Program

Friday 07/03/25

12.00-13.00  Arrival and lunch

13.00-14.00  Introduction + introductory talk
14.00-14.15  Coffee
14.15-16.00  Work in large group
16.00-16.15  Coffee
16.15-17.45  Small group work in parallel
18.00-19.00  Dinner
19.00-20:00  Evening group
20.00-20.15  Evening song

Saturday 08/03/25

8.55-9.10      Morning song
9.15-11.00    Large group work
11.00-11.15  Coffee
11.15-11.45  Reflections / questions on the Balint psychodrama experience
11.45-12.00  Ending

12.00-13.00  Lunch and departure

Practical information

Application: Before Saturday, February 1. by e-mail to the secretary of the Danish Balint Society. Dorthe Pedersen: samtaleogsupervision@gmail.com.

Price: 6.500 DKR all inclusive. To be payed to our bank account: 67710006277531

Account holder: Selskab for Samtale og Supervision/The Danish Balint Society

Bank: Lægernes Bank, Dirch Passers Allé 76, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark.

The venue: Kaløvig Center, Præstekravevej 46, 8410 Rønde, Denmark. This place is beautifully located on the banks of the southern coast of Djursland with a beautiful view over the Bay of Århus. So bring shoes for walking or – if you fancy a refreshing dip in the bay – bathing suits.

Transport: By train from Copenhagen Airport to Århus. Or by plane to Billund Airport. Bus from Billund approx. 1½ hours and from Århus approx. 1 hour to the venue. Sometimes we can arrange co-driving with other participants.

Registration will be confirmed and completed when payment is registered.

Cancellations before February 1. will be refunded with an administrative fee 200 DKR and bank costs. Cancellations before February 21. will be refunded with 50% with an administrative fee 200 DKR. Cancellations after February 21. can regrettably not be refunded.

Any questions: Torsten Fuglsang, mail: torstenfuglsang@gmail.com