What is Family Constellations?

Untangling hidden family patterns

Also known as Systemic Family Constellations, is a self-helped methodology, developed since the 1990's, which draws on elements of family systems therapy and existential phenomenology.

Family Constellation is about restoring order, belonging and balance to the family. it is a way to free ourselves from the damaging repetitive patterns, behaviours and entangled emotions which limit our life. These issues we carry and hold on to are in some way what you have unconsciously taken on from your family system. In a single session, a Family Constellation attempts to reveal an unrecognized dynamic that spans multiple generations in a given family (or any other system) and to resolve the deleterious effects of that dynamic by showing the patient, through representation and resonance, the factual reality of the past.

How does it works?

A Family Constellation session is a powerful solution-focused process that reveal unconscious entanglements that we have with our family of origin (and not only in families, but also in other systems such as workplaces, organizations etc). Systems Theory teaches that a problem in the system affects the entire system and that the system alone seeks balance.  A constellation is first a tool for discovering what is not working in a system and then a means for reaching the needed balance and healing. In one constellation, the origin of a problem is revealed and steps are taken toward healing and resolution.  You work to change the energy into a strength and this then allows you to move forward more lightly and authentically. Once these hidden dynamics are brought to our conscious awareness, they are shifted and we feel a sense of relief and emotional freedom from issues that were holding us back before.

When we set up a constellation session, the patient will briefly state the issue they want to work on, and what is the outcome they wish to have. He or she will be asked to choose representatives of family members or aspects of the issue and place them spatially in relation to one another according to what feels right to them. From here the session and moments will start and a resolution will be found.

 It’s a self-help process whereby a facilitator, on in this case, a “Constellator” guides a client to his/her own awareness about a new perspective relating to a current life issue. With this synchronistic confirmation.

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A constellation gives you the opportunity to step toward your own healing, and like all opportunities, it usually starts from a problem.   Common subjects include the following list: 

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• Repeated patterns, like choosing the same line of jobs and work which doesn't agree with us

• Looking for direction, greater purse and a sense of meaning

• Challenges with relationships and connecting with others

• Difficulties with our parter

• "New families", families uniting and cases with children from previous marriages etc. 

• Behavioural problems and misunderstanding in our systems- for children, yourself or within the family and work dynamic

• Health matters of all kinds - illness, eating disorders, fertility issues etc.  

• Coping with anxiety, stress or depression

• Difficulty in reaching professional or personal goals

• Grief and loss

• Communication challenges

• Anger & aggressive behaviour, bullying etc. 

• Testing ideas, decisions etc. 

• Any other issues that take a toll on our wellbeing...

How do I know if it "works"and how often to do a session?

Unlike conventional therapy - where the patients feel dependent on their therapist - Family Constellation and IoPT come to give the freedom and the autonomy back to the person. As a facilitator, I put my trust in my clients to know when and what they need to sort-out in their lives. No one can heal another person. We can only heal ourselves. I can facilitate someone's self-exploration to reach their own healing in their own pace.

Depending on the starting point, this approach has the advantage of being very quick as it there is potential to treat the body, mind and spirit at once.  One constellation can reveal the root of a problem that could have taken months or years to uncover in a traditional talk therapy, as it can quickly make distant root causes accessible, such as ancestral trauma from many generations back.  

After sessions often we feel alleviated, with a sense of inner peace. With time we can notice changes in our behavior, our awareness to our interactions with the outside world and to the way we respond to "problematic situations" that once were a triggering thing for us. We feel "centered" and clear in our thoughts.