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Groups for patients, relatives, parents and professionals, conducted within a clear professional framework and with a predetermined purpose.
The group offers a different kind of psychological space from individual work. In it, a person is not only in a relationship with the specialist, but also meets other people who are going through similar experiences, professional situations or life difficulties.
This can reduce the sense of isolation and allow one's own experience to be seen from different perspectives. Sometimes it is precisely the encounter with another person's experience that helps one recognise feelings and questions for which there have so far been no words.
However, group work does not mean that participants must disclose everything about themselves or speak before they are ready. Each group has a clear framework, rules of confidentiality and a predetermined purpose.
The Institute organises both psychological groups for patients, relatives and parents, and professional groups for psychologists, social workers and medical specialists.
Balint groups
What is it?
The Balint group is a specialised form of professional group work focused on the relationship between the specialist and the person with whom they work.
At its centre is not the question of whether the correct diagnosis has been made, whether the correct medical therapy has been chosen, or which professional technique should be applied. The focus is on the encounter itself – how the specialist experiences the patient or client, what happens within the relationship, and why certain cases remain particularly difficult, burdensome or significant.
A participant may present a case in which they experience helplessness, irritation, anxiety, excessive concern, distancing or another intense experience.
The group does not give instructions to the presenter. Through the free thinking of the participants, different possibilities for understanding the relationship are created.
Led by: Dr Margarita Tareyn
Who is it suitable for?
For:
- doctors;
- nurses and other medical specialists;
- psychologists;
- psychotherapists;
- social workers;
- other professionals from the helping professions.
When can it be helpful?
- when a particular patient or client continues to occupy the specialist's thoughts;
- in cases of a feeling of helplessness;
- in cases of irritation or anger;
- in cases of excessive emotional involvement;
- in cases of difficulty with professional distance;
- in cases of recurring complex relationships;
- to develop the capacity for professional reflection;
- as part of the prevention of professional burnout.
How does the group work proceed?
At each meeting, one of the participants presents a professional encounter or case. After the presentation, the group works on the possible meanings, relationships and experiences that the case gives rise to.
It is not necessary for every participant to present a case at every meeting.
How does the first meeting proceed?
The principles of the Balint method, the framework of the group, the rules of confidentiality and the way of participating are presented.
Format and frequency
Format
A small professional group with a qualified Balint facilitator.
Duration and frequency
The Balint group is most meaningful as a regular process. The specific frequency and duration are announced for each group.
Who leads the group?
A qualified Balint facilitator.
Important
The Balint group is not personal group psychotherapy, a clinical conference, or a form of assessing professional competence.
Groups for parents
What is it?
Parenthood is often experienced as a very personal responsibility. When difficulties arise, parents can easily be left with the feeling that others are coping better and that the problem lies solely within their own family.
The group for parents creates a space in which real everyday situations can be discussed – the child's behaviour, boundaries, anxiety, separation, adaptation, relationships between siblings, adolescence, or the parent's own exhaustion.
The purpose is not for the facilitator to provide a universal system of "correct upbringing". Children and families differ, and the same parenting strategy may have a different meaning in a different context.
The group format allows the parent to reflect on their own situation while also hearing the experience of other families.
Who is it suitable for?
Depending on the specific group, it may be intended for:
- parents of infants and young children;
- parents of school-age children;
- parents of adolescents;
- parents of children with a chronic illness;
- parents of children with developmental particularities;
- adoptive parents;
- foster parents;
- parents going through a particular family period or difficulty.
When can it be helpful?
For questions related to development, behaviour, relationships, boundaries, independence, anxiety, school, adolescence and changes within the family.
What does the group work include?
The meetings may include a brief introduction by the facilitator, discussion of a specific topic, everyday situations, and group discussion.
How does the first meeting proceed?
For some groups, a preliminary individual meeting is held in order to assess whether the particular format meets the parent's needs.
Format and frequency
Format
A small group with one or two facilitators, depending on the programme.
Duration and frequency
Groups with a predetermined number of meetings, as well as longer-term groups, are possible.
Who leads the group?
A psychologist, psychotherapist or other qualified specialist, depending on the topic.
Important
The group for parents does not replace an individual assessment of the child when there is a suspicion of a psychological, medical or developmental problem that requires specialised examination.
Groups for people with oncological diseases
What is it?
An oncological disease can create a particular sense of loneliness. Even when a person has a supportive family and friends, there is sometimes a lingering feeling that the people around them cannot fully understand the experience of the diagnosis, the treatment and the uncertainty.
In the group, a person meets other people for whom part of these experiences require no lengthy explanation.
The topics can vary widely – fear of progression, waiting for results, physical changes, relationships with loved ones, returning to work, sexuality, the feeling of being different, life after treatment, or questions about the future.
The group does not require participants to be "positive" and does not assume that there is a correct psychological way of going through cancer.
Who is it suitable for?
Depending on the specific programme, groups may be organised for:
- people undergoing active treatment;
- people after completing treatment;
- patients with a particular oncological disease;
- young people with an oncological diagnosis;
- people with advanced disease;
- other specifically defined groups of patients.
When can it be helpful?
- in cases of a feeling of isolation;
- in cases of fear of relapse or progression;
- when it is difficult to talk to loved ones;
- in cases of bodily changes;
- when returning to everyday life;
- in cases of uncertainty about the future;
- when a person needs to be with others going through a similar experience.
What does the group work include?
Conversation about the experience of the disease, relationships, the body, fears, resources and changes in life.
The facilitator supports the group process and monitors the psychological safety of the participants.
How does the first meeting proceed?
A brief individual meeting is usually held before joining. The purpose is not for the person to be "approved", but to assess whether the particular group is suitable for their situation and needs.
Format and frequency
Format
A small group, in person or online, depending on the programme.
Duration and frequency
Determined for the specific group.
Who leads the group?
A psychologist or psychotherapist with competence in psycho-oncology.
Important
Group psychological work does not replace oncological treatment and medical follow-up.
Groups for relatives of people with a serious illness
What is it?
Relatives of seriously ill people often find themselves in the role of the main source of support, without having a space of their own in which to talk about their own experience.
They can be simultaneously frightened, exhausted, angry, hopeful, and guilty for feeling anything other than unconditional readiness to care.
In the group, these contradictory feelings can be named without the person having to shield the patient from them.
Particularly significant can be meeting other relatives who understand what it means for life to be organised around treatments, examinations, hospitals, changes in condition and constant uncertainty.
Who is it suitable for?
For partners, parents, adult children, brothers, sisters and other significant people who support a person with a serious or chronic illness.
When can it be helpful?
- in cases of prolonged caregiving;
- in cases of exhaustion;
- in cases of fear of deterioration;
- in cases of feelings of guilt;
- in cases of social isolation;
- in cases of difficulties in communicating with the ill person;
- when a person feels they have lost their own space;
- when support from people in a similar situation is needed.
What does the group work include?
Conversation about caregiving, relationships, burden, boundaries, guilt, fear, one's own needs and possibilities for support.
How does the first meeting proceed?
Depending on the format, there may be a preliminary individual consultation before joining the group.
Format and frequency
Format
A small psychological group.
Duration and frequency
Determined for the specific programme.
Who leads the group?
A psychologist or psychotherapist with experience in working with serious illness, families and caregivers.
Important
Feeling tired, angry or in need of distance does not mean that you love the ill person any less.
Groups for loss and grief
What is it?
After the death of a loved one, the social environment often gradually returns to its usual rhythm long before the grieving person is ready for this.
Over time, it can become increasingly difficult to talk about the deceased. Those around may sometimes expect the person to "move on", while the person themselves may feel that the loss continues to be present in their everyday life.
The group for loss creates a space in which grief does not need to be justified or hastened.
Participants may have very different reactions – sadness, anger, guilt, emptiness, longing, relief, fear, or difficulty accepting the reality of what has happened.
Group work does not assume universal "stages" through which everyone must pass in a particular order.
Who is it suitable for?
For people who have experienced the death of a significant person.
Groups may also be organised according to the nature of the loss – for example, following a loss due to a serious illness, or for a particular group of relatives.
When can it be helpful?
- when a person feels alone in grief;
- when those around find it difficult to talk about the deceased;
- in feelings of guilt;
- in anger;
- in loss of meaning or direction;
- when a person needs to share memories;
- in difficulty adjusting to life after the loss.
What does the group work involve?
Talking about the loss, the relationship with the deceased, life before and after the death, changes in roles, guilt, memories and the continuation of life.
How does the first meeting proceed?
Before joining, an individual meeting may be held to become acquainted with the situation and to assess whether the moment and the format are appropriate.
Format and frequency
Format
A small psychological group.
Duration and frequency
The group usually has a predetermined framework and regular meetings.
Who leads the group?
A psychologist or psychotherapist with competence in working with loss and grief.
Important
Grief in itself is not a mental disorder, and there is no universal timeframe within which it must end. In the presence of suicidal thoughts, severe impairment of functioning or other significant mental distress, an individual clinical assessment may be necessary.
Group supervision
What is it?
Group supervision is a professional space in which participants can present cases from their own practice and examine them together with a supervisor and colleagues.
The advantage of the group format is the possibility for a single case to be seen from multiple professional perspectives.
Participants learn not only from their own cases but also from the work of the others. In this way, the capacity for clinical and professional thinking gradually develops, beyond the immediate need to find a quick solution.
A good supervision group should allow the professional to also speak about moments in which they do not know, doubt themselves, feel blocked, or believe they have made a mistake.
Who is it suitable for?
Depending on the specific group:
- psychologists;
- psychotherapists;
- social workers;
- medical specialists;
- professionals in social services;
- other helping professionals.
Specialised groups can also be created – for example, for psycho-oncology, work with children and families, severe illness, loss, or clinical social work.
When can it be helpful?
- when regular professional reflection is needed;
- in complex cases;
- in professional isolation;
- with strong reactions towards a client or patient;
- with ethical dilemmas;
- with difficulties concerning boundaries;
- in the development of professional identity;
- when working in an emotionally demanding field.
What does the supervision work involve?
Presentation of cases, clinical and professional discussion, analysis of relationships, the professional framework, ethical questions and the specialist's own position.
How does the first meeting proceed?
The group's rules, confidentiality, the manner of presenting cases and the expectations regarding participation are agreed upon.
Format and frequency
Format
A small professional group with a qualified supervisor.
Duration and frequency
Regular meetings for a predetermined period, or a long-term group.
Who leads the group?
A qualified supervisor with competence in the relevant field.
Important
Supervision is not administrative control and should not be used to assess the professional suitability of participants.
Groups for medical specialists
What are they?
Medical specialists work in an environment in which severe human experiences are part of everyday life – pain, fear, dependency, uncertainty, aggression, loss and death.
However, professional culture does not always provide a space in which the doctor, nurse or other specialist can speak about the way in which this work affects them.
The group creates a protected professional space for topics that are difficult to discuss in the usual work context.
This is not a group that teaches medical specialists "how to be more positive" or how to endure an even greater workload. The aim is to restore the possibility for professional experience to be thought about, shared and psychologically processed.
Who is it suitable for?
For:
- doctors;
- nurses;
- midwives;
- medical specialists;
- palliative care professionals;
- other specialists working directly with patients.
Groups for specific clinical areas can also be organised – for example, oncology, palliative medicine, intensive care or other highly demanding medical structures.
When can it be helpful?
- in prolonged professional strain;
- in multiple losses;
- when working with severely ill patients;
- in feelings of helplessness;
- in emotional exhaustion;
- in difficult relationships with patients and relatives;
- in professional loneliness;
- when the specialist senses that work has begun to significantly affect their personal life.
What does the group work involve?
The topics are determined by the participants and may include professional strain, relationships with patients, loss, the sense of responsibility, boundaries, conflicts and the way in which medical work is present in personal life.
How does the first meeting proceed?
The aim, framework and rules of confidentiality are presented. Depending on the specific group, there may be a preliminary individual meeting.
Format and frequency
Format
A small group with a psychologist or psychotherapist.
Duration and frequency
Regular meetings according to the previously announced programme.
Who leads the group?
A psychologist or psychotherapist with experience in the medical context and in group work.
Important
This format is different from the Balint group and group supervision. The main focus is on the psychological experience of the medical specialist themselves and the way in which professional work affects them.
How to choose the right group?
Different groups have different aims.
Psychological groups are focused on personal experience – for example, living with an oncological illness, caring for an ill relative, parenthood or grief.
Balint groups work primarily on the relationship between the professional and the patient or client.
Group supervision is focused on professional practice, cases, decisions, boundaries and the specialist's position.
Groups for medical specialists can be focused on the participants' own psychological experience and professional strain.
Therefore, for every announced group, it should be clearly stated who it is intended for, what its aim is, who leads it, what its duration is, and whether a preliminary individual meeting is required.
Important information about participation in a group
Group work is based on confidentiality. Participants undertake not to disclose outside the group any personal information they have learned about the others.
At the same time, the Institute cannot guarantee the behaviour of each individual participant in the way that professional secrecy binds the facilitator. Therefore, the rules of confidentiality are clearly discussed before or at the start of the group.
Not every group is suitable for every person and at every moment. In certain psychological or psychiatric conditions, individual work may be more appropriate or may be necessary before joining a group. This is why, in some formats, a preliminary individual meeting is held.
In cases of immediate risk to life or health, severe mental crisis, or the need for urgent medical or psychiatric help, the group is not an appropriate substitute for urgent professional care.
The group as a space for meeting
The group does not eliminate the individuality of experience. Two people may have the same diagnosis, may have lost a loved one, or may practise the same profession, and yet experience what is happening in a completely different way.
This is precisely what makes group work valuable – similarity allows a person not to be alone, while difference allows them to see that there are other ways in which what is happening can be experienced.
Participation does not mean an obligation to tell everything about yourself. It means entering a space in which one's own and others' experiences can be heard, thought about and understood.