23rd International Balint Congress

Cultivating Understanding and Compassion Through Balint

Sponsored by:

Colorado Chautauqua
Boulder, Colorado
September 9 - 13, 2024

Cultivating Understanding and Compassion Through Balint

The International Balint Federation (IBF) is composed of 28 societies around the globe which represent varied cultures, historical backgrounds, languages and healthcare systems. While we celebrate our diversity, we acknowledge that we have much to learn from each other. Particularly when we face challenging times, it may help us to examine how Balint Groups work and what gets in their way. We will examine the ways Balint promotes the cultivation of understanding and compassion in our varied settings and experiences. We will accomplish this learning through paper presentations, workshops and rich fellowship. Please join us at The Colorado Chautauqua, a national historic landmark at the base of the Flatiron Mountains for:

Five (5) longitudinal Balint Group sessions.
Paper presentations, poster sessions and workshops.
Continuing education credit (APA and AAFP/AMA).
A rich program of cultural and nature activities for registrants and guests.
Opportunities for networking and relaxation in a beautiful environment.

Tentative Schedule

Registration Fees

Space is limited to 100 registrants. Previous conferences have filled before the registration deadline, so early registration is strongly encouraged. The registration fee includes the Congress syllabus, the Ascona Prize Essay book, several cultural and social activity options, refreshment breaks, three lunches and the gala banquet.

The first 40 registrants will receive a discounted rate of $575 SOLD OUT!

Subsequent registrants will pay $625 USD.

Registration Deadline: July 11, 2024

Virtual Congress Registration Now Open!

We are pleased to announce we have opened our first virtual option! The Virtual Congress will provide Balint Groups in three time zones: SE Asia, North/South American, and Europe/Middle East.

$400 tuition is limited to 42 people and includes:

5 Balint Groups
live streaming of presentations
access to a recording of each livestream to view at your convenience
virtual social hour
electronic copies of the proceedings and Ascona book
APA CE or AAFP CME for attendance at papers and Balint group sessions

Once we reach 30 registrants at the $400 rate, we will open a $200 tuition rate which includes:

live streaming of presentations
access to a recording of each livestream to view at your convenience
virtual social hour
electronic copies of the proceedings and Ascona book
APA CE or AAFP CME for attendance at papers

Welcome to Colorado!

Nestled next to the Boulder Flatirons, the Colorado Chautauqua was founded in 1898 and has been in continuous operation from its inception. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chautauquas were highly regarded family retreats focusing on education, culture, music and nature.

The stunning location provides beautiful views from every direction, access to 40 miles of hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty, yoga, star-gazing, and history tours.

For information on lodging, restaurants, and things to see and do - visit our planning guide:

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Boulder

Boulder is about a 45-minute drive from Denver International Airport. There are several shuttle services that operate between the airport and Boulder. It is up to registrants to secure their own transportation. Some options: Boulder Shuttle, Eight Black Shuttle.

There is also public bus service from the airport to Boulder, which takes about an hour. The last stop is Broadway & Euclid on the UC Boulder campus - 1.2 m/2.4km from Chautauqua.

Connect With Us!

We've set up a message board for questions and conversations about the upcoming IBF Congress in Boulder, Colorado in September of '24. Maybe you want to find a roommate to share the cost of lodging. Maybe you have an exciting side trip planned to tell people about. Maybe your spouse wants company exploring Boulder while you Balint. You'll need to request to join via the link below.

Join Message Board

The password should automatically fill in to join the board. The password field will show dots and you can just hit enter. If for some reason it doesn't, the password is GoBoulder24.

Cancellation Policy

Registrants wishing to cancel their registration must do so in writing by the cancellation deadline: June 26, 2024. For cancellations received by the cancellation date, $100 of the registration fee will be withheld for administrative fees, and the refund will occur within 30 days of acknowledgment of cancellation. For cancellations received after the deadline, no refunds will be available.

Cultural Activities Available for Signup

We are excited to announce the addition of several cultural activities to our program. These activities are available to both registrants and their guest, but space is limited and signing up in advance is required. Upon completion of your registration, you'll receive a link to make your selections.

Forest Bathing with Jim Deming

What happens when we spend time outside in a natural setting, allowing the sights, sounds, and smells to wash over us? Why does this often help us feel better? In Japan, this practice is known as shinrin yoku or forest bathing, and walks in nature are quite popular as a way to combat daily stress. Considerable scientific research now supports multiple benefits for the body, mind, and spirit.

Chautauqua Historical Walking Tour

Enjoy a historic walking tour of the Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark. Knowledgeable guides provide an overview of the nationwide Chautauqua Movement and detailed information on the Colorado Chautauqua.

Stargazing

Guided tour of the night sky, aided by powerful telescopes and the assistance professional astronomers. Expect to see constellations, nebulae, clusters, distant galaxies, planets, comets, binary systems, coloured stars and more.

Please refer to the schedule for times.

Tentative Schedule

Bursary Information

The IBF offers bursaries (scholarships to defray the cost of attendance) to eligible candidates. Applicants must be members of their national society and have the support of that society, or be individual members of the IBF.

Selection is based on potential for contributing to the development of Balint work in the home country and personal need for financial support. Preference is given to those who are presenting work at the Congress and younger candidates or those who have been members of their national society for less than five years. There may be some preference for family/primary care doctors/GPs, but eligible candidates from all professions are encouraged to apply.

The bursary application provides further information on bursary support and the application process. The deadline for bursary applications is April 15, 2024.

Bursary Application

Target Audience

This conference is appropriate for clinicians at all levels of experience with the Balint Group method. It provides the greatest concentration of research and scholarly activity involving Balint Groups in the world. The conference is well-suited to those who are currently leading, expect to lead in the future, or are seeking a better understanding of Balint Groups. The program is appropriate for physicians (primary care, psychiatry, other specialists), mid-level clinicians such as physician associates and nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, other mental health care providers, veterinarians, and pastoral care providers.

Conference Goals

At the end of the conference, attendees will be able to:

Describe benefits common to members of Balint Groups internationally.
Contrast local challenges to holding Balint Groups with challenges faced internationally.
Identify the process and progression of a Balint Group over multiple sessions.
Define the new perspective of a presenter as a result of the Balint Group process.

Note: a complete list of learning objectives is available on request.

Grievance Policy

Any concerns should be brought to the attention of the Conference Directors, Kathy Knowlton, tryekk@aol.com , and Allison Bickett, Allison.Bickett@atriumhealth.org .

ABS Grievance Policy

Accreditation

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

AMA/AAFP Equivalency: AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.

The American Balint Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The American Balint Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.