The Balint Society is a UK charity (no. 261387) founded in 1969 to study the doctor-patient relationship. The society supports Balint groups, where clinicians meet with an accredited leader to reflect on the emotional content of their work with patients. You find a local or online group through the society's group map and join the society through an online application.
Key facts
- Who can take part
- Patient-focused professionals from health, social care and beyond, including GPs, doctors in training and students
- Cost
- Not stated on the society's homepage. Check the join pages, which include a student membership option.
- How to contact
- Online contact form on balintsociety.org.uk. No phone number is published.
- Covers
- The UK, with groups across the country and online
- Charity number
- 261387
What a Balint group offers
The society's focus is the emotional content of the doctor-patient relationship. The approach comes from the work of Michael and Enid Balint, and the society was set up in 1969 to continue the Balints' work. Groups began with general practitioners and now draw members from a wide range of professions in health, social care and beyond.
The aim of a Balint group is reflection rather than treatment: a regular, protected space to think about how a patient encounter felt, why a consultation keeps coming back to mind, or why one patient leaves you irritated or drained. Groups on the society's map are led by at least one accredited leader.
Groups meet in different settings. The map lists groups run privately, in hospitals, in medical schools and in other places. Some meet in a member's home, so the map shows a nearby landmark rather than the exact address. Online groups are also listed.
Who Balint work suits
Balint groups suit clinicians who feel the emotional weight of patient contact and want a structured way to think about the weight with peers. Say a salaried GP keeps dreading appointments with one patient who brings a new complaint every week. Talking the case through in a group, without a fix being demanded, can help the GP see the relationship in a new way.
Doctors in training have their own section on the society's website. Students can take out student membership. The society's Belfast conference, for example, is open to clinical and allied health professionals and those in training.
Events and leader training
The society runs one-day and residential weekend events each year. Events listed at the time of checking included:
- Scottish Balint Day, Saturday 7 November 2026, University of Dundee
- Balint Group Leadership Online Workshop, Saturday 14 November 2026
- Belfast One Day Conference, Friday 27 November 2026
- Leeds Study Day and AGM, Friday 4 December 2026
Training future Balint group leaders is a key aim of the society. If you already lead reflective sessions, read the accreditation pages to see how to become an accredited Balint group leader.
What the Balint Society does not provide
The society is a professional and educational charity. A Balint group does not offer counselling, crisis support, treatment or advice on employment and regulatory problems. If you need help with your own health or a workplace dispute, other services fit better:
- Free 24/7 counselling for doctors and medical students: BMA wellbeing support.
- Mental health and addiction treatment for NHS staff in England: NHS Practitioner Health.
- NHS and social care staff in Wales: Canopi. New therapy referrals there are paused from 21 September 2026, and self-referrals continue.
- Facilitated peer support groups for any healthcare worker: Doctors in Distress.
- Support for psychiatrists: the Psychiatrists' Support Service.
Reflective work sits well alongside our guides to moral distress, professional boundaries and burnout.
How to join a group
- Open the group map on the society's website and look for a group near you, or check the online groups page.
- Use the society's contact form if you have questions about a group or about joining.
- To join the society itself, complete the Apply to Join form, or the student membership form if you are studying.
If you are in distress, a reflective group is not the right first step. Call 999 in immediate danger, NHS 111 and the mental health option in England, or Samaritans free on 116 123. See urgent support.
Common questions
What is the Balint Society?
The Balint Society is a UK charity founded in 1969 to study the doctor-patient relationship. The society helps patient-focused professionals reflect on their work through Balint groups, events and leader training.
Who can join a Balint group?
The society brings together professionals from health, social care and beyond. GPs, doctors in training and students all take part, and student membership is available.
How do I find a Balint group near me?
Use the group map on the Balint Society website. The map lists local groups led by an accredited leader, and the site lists online groups too.
Is a Balint group the same as therapy?
No. A Balint group is a reflective space to think about the emotional side of patient care with peers. For counselling or treatment, use a service such as BMA wellbeing support or NHS Practitioner Health.
How do I become a Balint group leader?
The society runs an accreditation process for Balint group leaders and holds leadership workshops. Details are on the accreditation pages of its website.