Every Tuesday, Hanganak Charity NGO welcomes older adults to our office for psychological group sessions led by psychologist Dr. Anahit Lalayan. These weekly gatherings provide a warm and supportive environment where participants can share their experiences, build emotional resilience, and strengthen social connections.
The two most recent sessions were enriched by the participation of Avedis Berenson, an AGBU volunteer who holds a B.S. in Psychology and Counseling & Human Services from the University of Scranton. He actively engaged in the discussions and was deeply impressed by the participants’ openness, honesty, and willingness to express their emotions and personal experiences.
The sessions were dedicated to exploring the Wheel of Emotions, a valuable tool that helps people recognize, understand, and name their feelings. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants reflected on the wide range of emotions they experience in their daily lives and learned how greater emotional awareness can contribute to psychological well-being.
At the end of the first session, participants were invited to keep an emotion journal, recording the emotions they experienced each day throughout the week. During the following session, they shared their reflections with the group, discussing the situations that evoked different emotions and how these feelings influenced their daily lives. This simple yet meaningful exercise encouraged self-awareness, empathy, and thoughtful conversations, while reinforcing that every emotion is valid and deserves to be acknowledged.
We are grateful to Dr. Anahit Lalayan for her continued dedication to supporting the mental well-being of older adults and to Avedis Berenson for his valuable contribution to these inspiring sessions. Together, they continue to create a safe and welcoming space where participants feel heard, understood, and empowered.
We invite you to browse the photo gallery below and see some memorable moments from these engaging and meaningful group sessions.
