A space for sharing, support, and reorientation
Why the group
In the third and fourth ages, as throughout the course of life, the group represents a particularly valuable resource. Not only for those directly experiencing a phase of change or fragility, but also for those who care for others.
The group dimension allows one to emerge from isolation and recognize oneself in the experiences of others: in this way, the subjective experience, often one of pain, becomes a shared experience and can therefore be reframed and sometimes normalized. Others serve as mirrors in a protected and safe space.
The group is not simply a space for words. It is a relational context that fosters understanding, emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging, usually built around a common goal.
Who group work is for
The groups offered by SpazioFormaMentis are designed for older adults, whether they are caregivers or not.
A significant part of group work is directed toward caregivers: family members, partners, or individuals who care for someone with an illness, disability, or loss of autonomy that profoundly affects the daily life of both the patient and the caregiver. Being able to address concerns, anxieties, doubts, as well as practical problems together with others experiencing the same situation allows one to feel less alone and, above all, to activate shared resources that can make care and assistance more sustainable.
Alongside caregivers, groups may also be directed toward individuals going through complex life phases, losses, conditions of fragility, or simply facing changes related to aging.
The choice of the most suitable group always depends on the life phase, type of difficulty, and specific needs of the individual.
Different types of groups
Within the area dedicated to group work, Spazio FormaMentis offers differentiated pathways based on objectives and target audiences:
Group psychotherapy for individuals with similar issues
• directed toward individuals who share similar difficulties (loneliness, bereavement, role changes, anxiety, sadness)
• the group becomes a structured and containing therapeutic space
• work focuses on emotions, relationships, and sense of identity
Support group for caregivers
• directed toward those who care for a family member or a fragile individual
• helps recognize and regulate emotions such as fatigue, anger, guilt, and helplessness
• reduces the risk of isolation and burnout
Psychoeducational groups for individuals with similar issues
• oriented toward understanding emotional and cognitive functioning
• help normalize reactions and develop regulation tools
• do not replace psychotherapy, but can prepare for or complement it
Psychoeducational groups for caregivers
• offer tools for orientation and understanding of the caregiver role and the illness or disability
• support the management of daily difficulties
• promote prevention of emotional overload and social isolation, which often occurs when care becomes a daily responsibility
An integrated and respectful approach
All groups offered by Spazio FormaMentis are based on a constructivist, evolutionary, and trauma-informed cognitive approach, integrated with third-wave models.
Facilitation is always entrusted to qualified professionals and attentive to the timing, needs, and resources of participants.
The choice of a group always occurs through an initial assessment or consultation session, in order to guide the selection of the most suitable group.
The group is not an obligation. It is a possibility. A resource for not facing alone what is changing.
