Preface

Michael Balint was one of the group of creative analysts who, working in the context of the British Psycho-Analytical Society, developed and advanced what is known as the British object relations school of psychoanalysis. He, together with Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Ronald Fairbairn and Wilfred Bion, developed the theory that the subject’s need to relate to objects is of central importance to the subject, which contrasts with instinct theory, in which the subject’s need is for the reduction of instinctual tension. Each of these pioneers had their own views and theories on the nature and development of these needs from earliest infancy onwards, and in this book those of Balint as set out in his writings will be examined. Since theory and technique for conducting an analysis are intimately interlinked, his views on the nature and developments of technique will constitute an essential part of this study.

This book is not a biography, although it includes a brief biographical sketch of his life. It is essentially a study of his work in the twin fields of pure and applied psychoanalysis. In the latter, his work, with general practitioners in particular, was deservedly world-famous, and to mark this, three chapters are devoted to this topic. Two of the three are written by Dr Robert Gosling, psychoanalyst, former director of the Tavistock Clinic, and an early colleague of Balint, working with him in the development of his general practitioner groups. The other chapter is written by Dr Andrew Elder, general practitioner, member of the Balint Society, and a more contemporary member of the Balint groups.

I have written this book as a homage and tribute to Michael Balint, my analytic grandfather, the supervisor of my first training case, and above all, the person who set me firmly on the road to psychoanalysis. If there are any errors, omissions or misrepresentation of his views, the responsibility rests solely with me.

I would like to acknowledge the help and proddings of