What is Family Constellations Therapy?

Family Constellations by Bert Hellinger

Family Constellations therapy recognises the effect of Epigenetics – that we are born inheriting from our ancestors and that our DNA carries the imprints of their experiences as well as our own growing up experiences. Energetically, we experience connection within our family system through the bonds that exist between partners, parent and child, and sibling relationships. Viewing a whole family system as a Family Tree can help us to visually recognise the bonds that exist as well as those that have been created to exist but are not honoured or acknowledged. Energy always flows where there is a focus, and this shows not just where we can feel love, but also where there is unresolved trauma. 

Constellations therapy views many personal issues as stemming from entanglements within the families or systems to which we belong and because the roots of such issues are often outside our conscious awareness, resolution can be very difficult to achieve without access to a systemic perspective.

How does this Family Constellations help?

Family Constellations Therapy is a solution-focused healing approach and has the capacity to reveal systemic influences that are affecting our wellbeing. They are designed for individuals and couples who are seeking help with a range of different issues. These include:
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· Relationship difficulties between partners, parents and children

· Unresolved childhood pain and trauma

· Concern for the well-being of children and siblings

· Divorce and separation

· Depression

· Illness and accidents

· Death, suicide, bereavement and loss

· Adoption, abortion and miscarriage

· Incest, rape, violence and murder

· Addictions and obsessions

· Family secrets and ruptures

· Stuckness and feelings of powerlessness

· Problems with Money

· General Stress

How does Family Constellations work?

A Constellation is an intuitive therapeutic process: A person comes with an issue or intention that is connected with their current psychological and emotional life difficulties. Instead of just talking about the problem or trying to solve it with our thinking mind, the Constellation opens a space and provides access to the less conscious aspects of ourselves, thereby allowing for change and integration of traumatic memories that underlie our life difficulties.

The client constructs their constellation by calling in representatives for the relevant parts of the self, and family members, placing them in the available space. The constellation then becomes an external representation of the internal psychic structure of the person and reveals something of the reality of it.

Often truths emerge that were held unconscious before, and traumas that have been split off are allowed to surface and be integrated.

 How often do I need a Family Constallations session?

Unlike conventional counselling where most people attend weekly appointments, with constellations therapy you can decide on how frequently you would like to come. This is because time is needed to integrate the insights and experiences that you have gained during a session. Sometimes people will feel ready for the next step after 2-4 weeks, for others it can be longer. I leave it up to you to decide when it feels right to book another appointment.