MHPN currently supports two multidisciplinary Balint groups in Elsternwick. These groups are facilitated by Ruth Dunn, a psychologist and Balint group facilitator, and coordinated by Hilary Ash. The groups meet bi-monthly, on a Tuesday and Wednesday night. MHPN is accepting expressions of interest to join these two groups.
Hilary has opened a waiting list for places in the group she coordinates.
Register your interest:
Contact Lauren Tyrrell
MHPN
Phone: (03) 9601 4980.
Elsternwick Lunchtime Balint group NEW!
In addition to these groups, Dr Bill Betts, a psychiatrist turned psychoanalyst, wants to establish a lunchtime Balint group in Elsternwick this year. He will jointly coordinate with Hilary Ashe.
Dr Betts is a very experienced Balint group leader and is currently the Vice President and Chair of the Victorian Committee of the Balint Society of Australia. If there is enough interest, an initial meeting will be organised in early 2012.
Register your interest at:
Heidelberg Lunchtime Balint group NEW!
Balint group facilitators, Dr Sally Manuell, GP, and Marcel Saxone, pharmacist and psychotherapist, also hope to establish a multidisciplinary lunchtime Balint group in Heidelberg this year.
About the facilitators
Sally Manuel has been working in Melbourne as a GP for 25 years, and has attended a Balint group for the past nine years. She has a keen commitment to the Balint method and its ability to both support and enhance understanding of the value of the work of GPs. Sally is the current President of the Balint Society of Australia and New Zealand (BSANZ).
Marcel Saxone worked as a pharmacist for 30 years and for the last 25 years has also worked as a psychologist and psychotherapist. Marcel has always worked in collaboration with GPs and has a good understanding of some of the major issues that GPs face. He recently attended a Balint facilitator workshop in Auckland and is keen to share his learning with others.
The sessions
The sessions would run from 12.30 to 2pm once a month on a Friday, with lunch provided. The location is the Mount Street Medical Centre general practice, 80 Mount St, Heidelberg. It’s very close to the Heidelberg train station and the Austin Hospital.
Register your interest at:
The Balint method
The Balint method was created by Dr Michael and Enid Balint working in the United Kingdom with GPs in the 1950s. It presents a unique opportunity to discuss the nuances of the doctor (therapist)/patient relationship in an encouraging, supportive, non-judgmental and 'non-problem-solving' environment. The focus is on the emotional and psychological aspects of the therapeutic relationship and the presented issue. In this respect, it contrasts markedly from the usual content focus of peer review meetings.
Hobart Multidisciplinary Balint Group NEW!
Roseanne Brumby (Clinical Psychologist) and Frank Meumann (General Practitioner) are interested in establishing a multidisciplinary Balint group for GPs and mental health clinicians in Hobart. The Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) will provide administrative support, resources and funding for this network.
If you are interested in being a part of the Hobart Balint group please provide your name and contact details and also indicate meeting days and times that would most suit you. If there is interest in this network then an initial meeting will be held in early 2012.
Contact
Anyone with questions who are interested in any of these groups should contact:
Lauren Tyrrell
MHPN
Phone: (03) 9601 4980.