The Dublin Balint Experience
Date: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May 2022
Venue: Orlagh House, Gunney Hill, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16 VF38
Organiser: Dr Hugh Nohilly, Dr Réamonn Ó Donnchadha, Dr Emma Nelson
CPD: Approved for 10 External Credits by CPsychI.
The Dublin Balint Experience 14 & 15 May 2022
“It has always been known that much more happens in the intimate atmosphere between doctor and patient than is described in the traditional textbooks.”
The above quotation, taken from Michael Balint’s classic study, The Doctor, His Patient and the Illness, (1952), is sufficiently seductive and provocative to generate a desire to know more in the reader.
The Dublin Balint Experience is an innovative addition to the professional development scene and takes place for the second time, in 2022 (following 2 years of postponement due to Covid 19), following the success of the inaugural event in 2018 in Finnstown House.
The venue this time is beautiful Orlagh House, a restored 1790 Georgian Mansion, in Rathfarnham at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, set in vast parkland. We have exclusive use of the house for the weekend. The official event will take place over the full day on Saturday 14th and on Sunday 15th morning. You may choose to stay in Orlagh House at reasonable B&B rates on Saturday night or arrive to stay over the evening before (for the same price) and meet fellow attendees over a glass of wine by the fire. There will also be dinner available at separate cost for those who would like to keep company, on Friday and Saturday nights.
The event is being organised by a small group of GPs & psychotherapists and is suitable for health and social care professionals, counsellors, psychotherapists and teachers… anyone in a caring or mentoring role in their work, making it truly multidisciplinary.
Each participant will be able to participate in: A plenary/opening orientation address, a series of Balint group sessions, a plenary fishbowl session, numerous coffee conversations, Balint dinner, time to rest, reflect and refresh.
It will provide an opportunity for each participant to explore the helper-patient/client relationship dynamics and interactions. It will provide opportunities and encouragement for each participant to reflect on their own practice in the holding space of their colleagues’ support.
Each of the Balint group sessions will be facilitated by two experienced leaders, and will provide a facilitating space where each participant can present a case, or simply listen, reflect and contribute to their own learning and the learning of others.
The essential characteristic tone of the traditional Balint group, that of collaboration in learning, will be encouraged, facilitated and nurtured.
There is also a leaders’ group planned, for those who may wish to become Balint group leaders.
We are delighted that the UK Balint Society are supporting this initiative in Ireland.
The registration fee is €170 (early bird to 14th March; €200 thereafter). Registration includes lunch and refreshments. Please ask for registration form and details of payment (several methods available) by emailing dublinbalint@gmail.com
We welcome expressions of interest to participate in the Dublin Balint Experience, and in particular from accredited leaders, who would like to lead Balint groups during the forum.
Bígí linn! Join us!
Dr. Hugh Nohilly, Dr. Réamonn Ó Donnchadha, Dr. Emma Nelson