FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS

 

German philosopher and psychotherapist Bert Hellinger has made family constellations a world-renowned therapeutic method over the past twenty years.

 

Methodology

 

In a family constellation, the client sets up an aspect of their life that they are struggling with—such as family, relationships, group dynamics, or symptoms—and chooses representatives for themselves and the key individuals involved. The client then positions these representatives according to their inner image and feelings in relation to one another.

 

The unique power of this method is that the representatives, once placed in their positions, begin to experience and access the emotions and perceptions of the actual individuals they represent. The therapist then works in alignment with the representatives to uncover a solution and restore the natural flow of love and connection. At the end of the process, the client steps into the improved constellation, allowing them to absorb its effects and release emotional entanglements.

 

Family Systems: What Is It?

 

Every family system is unique and has its own way of functioning. However, unresolved issues within the system tend to resurface, sometimes even generations later, in an attempt to be processed and healed. Often, the individual experiencing difficulties is unaware of the deeper roots of what is happening.

 

How Does It Work?

 

The client initiating a family constellation begins with a specific issue or theme they wish to explore. They then select representatives from a group of participants for each family member or key figure involved in the issue and arrange them in the space.

 

The positions and interactions of the representatives reveal underlying dynamics, and as the process unfolds spontaneously, the facilitator works with the group to identify a resolution or a new direction for healing.
 

Themes

 

Anyone can set up an aspect of their life within a constellation to gain new insights. Common themes include:

 

• emotional challenges: fear, sadness, restlessness, uncertainty, lack of self-confidence, despair, feeling lost

• relationships: unstable or unsatisfactory relationships, fluctuating or short-term connections, absence of a partner

 

• family dynamics: behavioral issues, power struggles between parents and children, absence of a parent due to divorce or death, adoption-related struggles
• health Issues: insomnia, fatigue, addiction, illness, etc. 

 

In my practice, constellations are conducted one-on-one for a more personalized experience.