Family Constellation

What is Family Constellations and how does it work?

Family constellations, also known as systemic constellations or family systems therapy, is a therapeutic approach developed by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger. It is based on the idea that our families have a profound impact on our lives and that unresolved issues within our family system can create difficulties and conflicts in our present lives.

The principles and methodology behind family constellations are based on a systemic view, which views individuals as part of larger interconnected systems, such as families or social groups. This perspective emphasises the influence of the family system on individual well-being and recognises that issues experienced by one family member can affect an entirely bigger system, such as relationships outside the home environment, and the society. It also involves unconscious dynamics and hidden loyalties within a family system.

It is believed that unresolved traumas, conflicts, or unresolved issues from previous generations can continue to impact later generations.

These unconscious influences can manifest as repetitive patterns, emotional entanglements, or unresolved grief. Due to its central idea of observing patterns or systems and its interrelation and different functions, it inspired another term, ‘systemic constellations,’ which is also used in the field.

Family constellations are also guided by the principle of "Orders of Love," as proposed by Bert Hellinger. These orders suggest that certain fundamental principles govern healthy family systems, including the principles of belonging, hierarchy, and balance. When these principles are disrupted or violated, it can lead to emotional and relational difficulties.

How did Family Constellations come about?

The practice emerged in the 1980s and has since evolved through the contributions of various key figures in the field. Bert Hellinger, a German psychotherapist and former priest, is considered the founder of family constellations. In the late 1970s, Hellinger began developing his approach based on his experiences with group therapy, family therapy, and his observations of indigenous African healing rituals. He formulated the principles and methodology of family constellations, drawing from systemic thinking and his understanding of the Orders of Love.

A colleague of Hellinger, Gunthard Weber, played a significant role in popularising family constellations. Weber worked closely with Hellinger, co-facilitated workshops, and helped refine the methodology. He also introduced the use of representatives in family constellations, where participants stand in for family members.

Meanwhile, German psychiatrist Albrecht Mahr, made significant contributions to the development of family constellations. He expanded the application of constellations beyond the family system and incorporated other areas of life, such as health, work, and organisations. Mahr also emphasised the importance of integrating spiritual dimensions into the work.

The practice expanded by incorporating trauma theory through the work of German psychologist Franz Ruppertand. He incorporated his own method called "Identity-oriented Psychotrauma Theory and Therapy" (IoPT) and focused on the impact of early trauma on identity and the ways in which trauma can be expressed through family dynamics and entanglements.

Over time, family constellations have gained popularity worldwide and have been adapted and integrated into various therapeutic approaches and modalities. Different variations and offshoots of family constellations have emerged, incorporating elements from psychology, neuroscience, trauma therapy, and other disciplines.

What are the benefits of Family Constellation?

Many individuals carry unresolved traumas or painful experiences from past generations within their family system. Family constellations offer a way to explore and heal these transgenerational patterns by acknowledging and honouring the fate of previous generations. It helps individuals gain a deeper understanding of how trauma and unresolved issues can impact their own lives and relationships. In understanding the underlying dynamics, entanglements, and unresolved issues that may be contributing to conflicts, Family Constellations help address which areas of a person’s relationships need improvement and provide actionable solutions to accomplish it. Benefits of seeking out Family Constellation include:

Emotional healing
Self-exploration
Clearer sense of self
Improved significant relationships
Intentional approach to parenting

How Does Family Constellation Work?

A typical family constellation session can vary depending on the facilitator and the specific needs of the client, but it usually involves pre-session intake, constellation-setting, observation period, facilitator interventions, and session closure. The facilitator begins by conducting an intake session with the client to gather information about their family history, current challenges, and intentions for the constellation session. It can be summarised in seven processes:

Introduction and Discussion: The session usually begins with an introduction by the facilitator, explaining the purpose and process of family constellations. The facilitator may ask the client to provide a brief overview of their concerns or issues they wish to address. This discussion helps the facilitator understand the client's intentions and sets the stage for the constellation.
Choosing Representatives: The facilitator will guide the client in selecting representatives for family members or elements of their system. Representatives can be other participants in the session or objects such as cushions or figures. The client will intuitively choose individuals or objects to represent the people or elements involved in their issue. These representatives do not need to have any prior knowledge about the client's family or situation.
Placing Representatives: The client will position the chosen representatives in the room, usually in relation to their own position. They will place the representatives according to their inner sense of the family dynamics or the relationships they wish to explore. The facilitator may offer suggestions or ask questions to clarify the positioning.
Observing and Engaging: Once the representatives are placed, the client will observe the constellation from the outside. They may be invited to share their observations, feelings, or thoughts about the constellation. The facilitator may ask questions to deepen the exploration or guide the representatives in expressing their experiences.
Systemic Movements: The facilitator may introduce systemic movements as a way to explore dynamics within the constellation. Systemic movements involve subtle adjustments in the positions of the representatives based on the facilitator's observations or insights. These movements aim to uncover hidden dynamics or create shifts in the constellation that can promote healing and resolution.
Insights and Integration: Throughout the session, the facilitator may provide insights or interpretations based on the constellation dynamics and systemic principles. These insights help the client gain a deeper understanding of their family system and the underlying dynamics contributing to their concerns. The facilitator may guide the client in integrating these insights and exploring new perspectives or possibilities.
Closing and Reflection: Towards the end of the session, the facilitator will guide the client in a closing process. This may involve acknowledging and honouring the representatives for their participation, expressing gratitude, and providing space for reflection or sharing of experiences. The facilitator may also offer suggestions for further integration or follow-up work if needed.

It is important to note that the exact process may vary depending on the facilitator's approach and the specific needs of the client. Family constellation sessions can be conducted one-on-one or in a group setting, and the duration of a session can range from a few hours to a full day or longer.

Are there various types of constellations?

Different types of constellations have specific focuses, and there can also be overlap and interconnectedness between them. The appropriate type of constellation depends on the specific concerns, goals, and context of the individuals or systems involved. Trained facilitators can guide individuals in selecting the appropriate type of constellation for their needs.

Family Constellations: Family constellations focus on exploring and understanding the dynamics within a family system. This type of constellation is suitable when individuals are seeking insights into family relationships, unresolved issues, repetitive patterns, or conflicts within their family. It can be helpful for addressing issues such as communication problems, intergenerational trauma, family secrets, or difficulties in forming healthy relationships.
Organisational Constellations: Organisational constellations extend the principles of family constellations to the context of organisations, businesses, or professional systems. These constellations explore the underlying dynamics, power structures, and relationships within the organisation. They can be used to address issues such as leadership challenges, team conflicts, organisational restructuring, decision-making processes, or systemic obstacles that hinder the organisation's success.
Trauma Constellations: Trauma constellations, also known as systemic trauma constellations, focus specifically on exploring and resolving the impact of trauma within an individual or family system. These constellations are suitable when individuals have experienced significant traumas, such as abuse, loss, or accidents, and are seeking healing and resolution. They can help uncover the hidden dynamics and entanglements that trauma creates within the family system and support the integration of fragmented parts of the self.
Health Constellations: Health constellations explore the connection between physical and emotional health within an individual or family system. These constellations can be used when individuals are dealing with chronic illness, psychosomatic symptoms, or other health challenges. They aim to uncover the systemic influences on health and well-being, such as unresolved family traumas or entanglements, and facilitate healing and resolution.
Social and Collective Constellations: Social or collective constellations address broader social issues, such as cultural conflicts, societal divisions, or historical events. These constellations explore the systemic influences and dynamics at play in larger social systems. They can be used to gain insights into collective traumas, intergroup conflicts, or systemic inequalities, and to work towards healing, reconciliation, and social change.

What are the common issues addressed by Family Constellation?

Family constellations can be used to address a wide range of issues and challenges. Here are some common concerns that people seek to address through family constellations:

Relationship Problems: Family constellations can help individuals gain insights into relationship difficulties within their families, romantic partnerships, or other significant relationships. It can shed light on underlying dynamics, entanglements, unresolved conflicts, and communication problems that contribute to relationship challenges.
Family Dynamics and Patterns: Family constellations provide a way to explore and understand the dynamics and patterns within a family system. It can help individuals uncover repetitive patterns, roles, and behaviours that have been passed down through generations. This understanding allows for a deeper exploration of family dynamics and the potential for breaking free from harmful or limiting patterns.
Health Issues: Family constellations can be used to explore the connections between physical and emotional health. It can help individuals understand how unresolved family dynamics, traumas, or entanglements may manifest as physical or psychosomatic symptoms. By addressing and resolving these underlying issues, individuals may experience improvements in their overall well-being.
Unresolved Traumas: Family constellations offer a space to address unresolved traumas within the family system. It can help individuals acknowledge and heal the impact of past traumas, such as abuse, neglect, loss, or other traumatic experiences. Through the constellation process, individuals may gain insights, find resolution, and experience healing from these traumas.
Grief and Loss: Family constellations can support individuals in processing and finding resolution in cases of unresolved grief and loss. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge and honour the fate of deceased family members, express unspoken emotions, and seek closure. This can facilitate the healing process and support individuals in finding peace and acceptance.
Personal Growth and Self-Exploration: Family constellations can be used as a tool for personal growth and self-exploration. It offers individuals a deeper understanding of themselves, their core beliefs, and their behavioural patterns. By gaining insights into their family system, individuals can develop a clearer sense of self, make conscious choices aligned with their authentic selves, and foster personal development.

Is there scientific truth in Family Constellation?

Family constellation therapy is considered as an alternative and complementary approach to healing. The practice focuses on subjective experiences and personal meanings rather than empirical validation. Empirical evidence supporting family constellations is scarce, and most of the available studies are qualitative or anecdotal in nature, providing subjective reports of participants' experiences and perceptions.

While some argue that the approach lacks a theoretical foundation and is based on speculative and unproven concepts, it is essential to acknowledge that individuals who have undergone Family Constellation therapy vouch for their positive experiences and the benefits they received from participating in constellation work. As with any therapeutic approach, it is crucial for individuals to consider their own needs, consult with trained professionals, and critically evaluate the evidence and potential risks associated with the practice.

How to prepare for a Family Constellation session?

Clients can expect a family constellation session to be an experiential and potentially emotionally intense process. In order to maximise the experience of constellation work, the client must prepare to be presented with a confidential environment with boundaries and guidelines, in order to ensure a respectful and comfortable space for the session. The constellation work may involve the following process:

Exploration of Personal Issues: During the session, clients will have the opportunity to explore and gain insights into their personal issues or challenges. This may involve discussing family dynamics, unresolved traumas, relationship patterns, or other concerns that they wish to address.
Active Participation: Clients will be actively involved in the constellation process. They may be asked to choose representatives for family members or elements of their system and place them in the room. They will observe and engage with the unfolding constellation, expressing feelings, thoughts, or perceptions as guided by the facilitator.
Emotional Intensity: Family constellations can evoke strong emotions as participants connect with their family system and explore unresolved issues. Clients should be prepared for the possibility of experiencing intense feelings such as sadness, anger, grief, or joy. It is important to approach these emotions with self-compassion and a willingness to explore and process them.

The session can get emotionally heavy, so it will be helpful for clients to prepare the following procedures below to manage the rush of emotions that they may encounter during constellation work:

Intention setting: Clarify your intentions and what you hope to gain from the session. Reflect on the specific issues or challenges you want to address. This can help focus your energy and provide a sense of direction during the constellation.
Self-Care: Engage in self-care practices before and after the session. This may involve activities that help you relax, ground yourself, or process emotions, such as meditation, journaling, exercise, or spending time in nature. Prioritise self-care to support your emotional well-being throughout the process.
Openness and Willingness: Approach the session with an open mind and a willingness to explore and discover new insights. Be receptive to the guidance of the facilitator and trust the process. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and express your feelings authentically.

What happens after the constellation?

It is normal to experience a range of emotions after a family constellation session. These emotions may include relief, sadness, joy, anger, or a sense of release. Participants may also feel emotionally drained or physically tired. Engaging in self-care practices after a family constellation session is vital to support your emotional well-being. Consider the following self-care strategies:

Rest and Relaxation: Prioritise rest and relaxation to replenish your energy. This may involve getting enough sleep, taking breaks, and engaging in activities that help you unwind and recharge.
Emotional Expression: Allow yourself to express and process your emotions. This can be done through journaling, talking with a trusted friend or therapist, or engaging in creative outlets such as art or music.
Grounding Techniques: Engage in grounding practices to reconnect with the present moment and your body. This can include mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or activities in nature.
Self-Compassion: Be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you integrate the insights and experiences from the constellation session. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your efforts, accepting your emotions, and offering yourself kindness and understanding.

Take time to reflect on the insights gained during the constellation session. Consider how the information and experiences relate to your life and the concerns you brought to the session. Allow yourself space for introspection and integration, and be open to new perspectives and possibilities. If needed, consider seeking additional support or follow-up sessions with a therapist or facilitator experienced in family constellations. They can help you further process the insights, navigate any challenges that arise, and provide guidance for continued healing and growth. Also remember to be patient with yourself as you navigate the post-session experience. Give yourself permission to heal at your own pace and trust that the insights gained will continue to unfold and support your personal growth.

What to do next?

If you are interested in exploring family constellations further, it is advisable to approach it with an open mind. More importantly, seek practitioners who are properly trained and certified with the official practice. Elenice Pinto has a certification in Systemic Family Constellations, where she integrates her wide range of experience in balancing the body's energy centres into creating a safe experience for people who want to understand their bodies better.

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“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche

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