Psychotherapeutic Support Group for Young Men
The Second Psychotherapeutic Support Group “Path to Values” Took Place
As part of our psychoeducational initiative and continuing the topic of depression, the second meeting of the psychotherapeutic support group was held on April 27, 2025, dedicated to the preconditions of depressive states and the discovery of personal values. This session was a natural follow-up to the first meeting, where we explored the symptoms of depression and general ways to overcome it.
During the two-hour session, participants together with the facilitator explored the following key topics:
- Lack of Self-Compassion: What lies behind a harsh, self-critical inner voice, and how to learn to support ourselves instead of reproaching ourselves.
- Victim-Blaming and Toxic Normality: How societal expectations and stereotypes make us feel guilty about our own state and “conform” to harmful norms.
- Discovering Values and “Hooks”: Identifying what truly matters to each of us, and uncovering the internal barriers—“hooks”—that hinder our journey toward a fulfilling life.
Participants engaged in a series of practical exercises:
- “Sculptor”: A brief imagination and contact game to set the group atmosphere.
- Theoretical Blocks: Presentations on the core self and adaptive strategies, the nature of victim-blaming, and societal “toxic normality.”
- “Values and Hooks” Exercise: Pair and small-group work to create personal “value maps” and identify markers that distract from them.
- Team Exercise “Components of BASIC PH”: Participants generated ideas for daily practices to support psychological well-being.
At the end of the session, everyone shared their discoveries: many felt relief at recognizing their internal barriers and gained clarity on how to take step-by-step action toward their true values.
Thank you to all participants for your openness and mutual support! The next group will meet on May 18—stay tuned for announcements.
