A narrative history of the American Balint Society 1990–2020

Abstract

An historical narrative tracing the inception, evolution, structure, educational focus, integration with international Balint movements and challenges to future growth of the American Balint Society (ABS) is enlivened and deepened by twelve Balint autobiographies that follow it. The ABS in choosing to create its historical narrative is confronting a vitally important project both for its members, and for many healthcare educators and clinicians. Both are deeply invested in promoting and preserving the integrity of the personal relationship between the provider and the client. The Society is striving not only to understand its past, but to educate itself through a contextual awareness of how to preserve a personal education for future healthcare providers. To truly understand how the Balint enterprise emerged in the USA, one must “hear” from the people who experienced and wanted to share the transformative insights of participation in Balint seminars. To “hear” their stories and to honor the diversity of perspectives within the organization the authors asked ABS members with long and committed involvement to write their personal ”Balint Autobiographies.” These authors tell a collective, personal and professional story that is truly integral with an ABS narrative history. Readers may find, amidst their narratives, gems of insight and instruction about the Balint Seminar process, its leadership and possibly indications of where the ABS could head in the future. However, the real significance of the history of the ABS lies in its potency to stimulate critical reflection on the true purpose(s) of the Society, to elicit new and stronger personal incentives in ABS members, and to initiate challenging, inquiring, and supporting reverberations in the medical-educational-insurance-business-governmental subculture in which it participates.