Classic Balint Group Work and the Thinking of W.R. Bion: How Balint Work Increases the Ability to Think One’s Own Thoughts

Abstract

Some of W.R. Bion’s specific ideas can further the understanding of the classic Balint group technique. The group leader supports a ‘container-contained’ process, preventing the group from attacking or criticizing the presenter.

‘Projective identification’ helps the group to understand what has been presented. Meaningless impressions, feelings, emotions, and simple facts are transferred to the group, such as still unthinkable bizarre ‘beta-elements’ to be transformed by the ‘alpha-function’ to the now thinkable ‘alpha-elements’.

Abstaining from the group process, the presenter is protected from re-projections of feelings and emotions. The Balint group technique makes sense to promote the ‘digestion’ of bizarre beta-element-like aspects into alpha-elements, enabling the presenter to ‘think his or her own thoughts’ instead of projected one, giving the chance to change into a response model instead of a reacting one. ‘Mental growth’ occurs when feelings and thoughts can be tolerated at a higher level.