News
Balint Weekend and Leaders’ Workshop
6pm Friday July 2nd – 12.30pm Sunday July 4th 2010
Longhirst Hall, Morpeth, near Newcastle upon Tyne
You are invited to attend the fourth Balint weekend in the North East. This will be of interest both to those experienced in Balint work and people who have not tried it before. It will be an opportunity to participate in Balint workshops and may appeal to those who are unable to join a regular group. Like last year we will also be holding a leaders workshop in parallel for those who are leading groups or would like to learn about leading groups.
The format of the weekend will be much like last year – participants are encouraged to bring cases to be discussed in confidential small groups, led by experienced facilitators. We will have a short presentation, a goldfish bowl demonstration group and some time out to relax in the Northumberland countryside – last year we had a fantastic Bar B Q on the beach at Newton by the Sea, some of us taking a late night dip in the sea.
Balint groups provide a model for reflecting on our work and exploring our relationships with patients in all their complexity and ambiguity. Michael Balint described the doctor as the most potent drug. The aim of Balint work is to increase therapeutic effectiveness and develop self-awareness. It is a useful method in teaching and training. If you are a course organizer or trainer you may be interested in developing this approach. For more information see www.balint.co.uk
Participants are encouraged to come and stay for the whole weekend at Longhirst Hall www.longhirst.co.uk a comfortable conference centre with good food and lovely grounds. A non-residential rate is also available. The programme will start on Friday evening at 6pm continuing from 9.30am – 9pm on Saturday and 9.30am – 12.30pm on Sunday. Cost includes all meals. Transport can be arranged from Newcastle and Morpeth stations and Newcastle airport. A detailed programme will be sent later.
The weekend is being organized by local Balint group leaders in association with the Balint Society. Please feel free to contact any of us if you would like to know more.
Christina Blackwell, Chartered Clinical Psychologist (Christina.Blackwell@ntw.nhs.uk)
Dr Peter Brumby, General Practitioner, Psychotherapist (DrPeterBrumby@aol.com)
Jill Clarke, Consultant Clinical Psychologist Specialist in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (Jill.Clarke@ntw.nhs.uk)
Dr Jane Dammers, General Practitioner (jane.dammers@ncl.ac.uk)
Dr Richard Duggins, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy (Richard.duggins@ntw.nhs.uk)
Dr Dave Morgan, General Practitioner (dcmorgan@ukonline.co.uk)
Dr Esti Rimmer, Consultant Psychologist in psychotherapy (st_rimmer@yahoo.co.uk)
Dr Manjit Suchdev, General Practitioner (manjit.suchdev@gp-a85611.nhs.uk)
Applications using this form by Monday June 7th 2010 please to Jane Dammers jane.dammers@ncl.ac.uk