Family and Systemic Constellation Therapy

The Constellation process creates living models that disclose the deeper forces that can influence our thoughts, behaviors and emotional experiences.

Developed by Bert Hellinger, Constellations often disclose the hidden elements and dynamics behind suffering that results from grief, loss, tragedy and violence. Constellations can provide healing for self, family and ancestors. Constellations are used by psychotherapists, alternative healers, shamans and energy workers around the world.

Constellation Facilitators believe that each of us is surrounded by a "knowing field" that contains the unresolved issues or imbalances inherited from our families and ancestors as well as the wisdom to transform them.

Creating a living model of these deeper realities can give us the perspective to make new choices or follow unforeseen pathways.

Hellinger believes that each family (also tribe and nation) has a conscience at a deep level of the system. This conscience does not tolerate a member being excluded, shunned or forgotten. To correct this imbalance younger members of the family system are likely to identify with the missing family member.

This is often the source for "entanglements" with family and ancestors. Entanglements are defined as when one individual becomes entwined in the events of the past, thereby experiencing and feeling the fate of another as his/her own.

Constellations can be done in group workshops or in private sessions. In Family Constellation theory, psychological states, feelings, and physical illness are often seen as disturbances in the individual's family system. During the group process volunteers are asked to "represent" individuals from a family system.

While the individual watches the representatives move, speak and react to other representatives (with the help of the facilitator). Representative do not "act" the part. They are asked to allow what is present to emerge. Hidden connections, issues and confusions are revealed and explored. When representatives for the family system are finally in their correct position and excluded or unacknowledged elements are revealed and accepted, the energy of the system can begin to flow naturally.

The Family Constellation process creates an opportunity to move forward into our lives. It can support us in:

- Receiving the love of our parents and ancestors
- Being fully present to our resources and strengths
- Seeing how we can bring familial dynamics to our work environments
- Living our lives with dignity
- Releasing physical pain or illness

Private constellations may use wooden figures and/or visualization techniques to reveal family dynamics. The Facilitator may also take on one or more representations for the client.

Increasing, practitioners are calling this work "Systemic Constellations." This broader view of the work values the impact of the constellation process on many different types of systems large and small. Constellations can be done for trauma, illness, dreams and more. New ways of setting up constellations that are different from the classic setup are emerging as well.

Barry Krost facilitates Family & Systemic Constellations private session and groups in Chicago, IL, (including phone/skype sessions).

Learn more at Healing Family Constellations. Providing useful self development and improvement articles, hynotherapy and counselling writings and other mind help resources online.