• What is Constellations?
Constellations is a phenomenological therapeutic practice which deals with looking at systems and systemic issues. It is usually referred to as Systemic Constellations or more traditionally Family Constellations, but any kind of system can be constellated, or “set up” for the client to work with. Simply put a constellation is a representation of the relationship between parts of a system. It can refer to a family, a couple or parent relationship, inner parts of even an organisation.
In traditional Family Constellations, it is a way to support clients to discover how the past has an impact in the here and now. Unconsciously, we carry the burdens or issues of those who came before us. These burdens show up in different ways and sometimes present as anxiety, trauma, excessive drinking, weight problems, health issues, etc.
Family Constellations reveals how some life struggles can be outcomes of our upbringing, and also of the past of our parents, grandparents and even wider family. When we look into the history of a family, we can often find certain issues and patterns repeating through generations. The work of family constellations is making the unconscious conscious. It brings to light what is unseen or excluded.
• How does a Family Constellation work?
Using Family Constellations as a therapeutic resource for ourselves and our clients is a powerful way to bring strength and healing through connecting to our past and releasing and acknowledging the relationships and events that can keep us stuck. This allows us to be fully in the present, able to connect and receive from God. Family Constellations work can be done either in one-on-one session with dolls or papers, or in a group setting. In a group setting such this workshop, I will set up the constellations of the people who have pre-booked to explore their problem or question. This involves the other participants standing as representatives for the other family members, creating a visual, 3-D representation of the bigger family system sustaining the problem. I will gently guide the client to explore ways to initiate movement in the system and to find resolution.
• What issues does Family Constellations address?
My answer to this question would be “pretty much anything that a client would like to resolve, as long as it has a good outcome, strengthens and resources the client”. It is also possible to do business/organisational Constellations and to use this approach in coaching. The following issues could be worked with in a Family Constellation:
Anxiety, Depression, Health issues, Relationship issues: couple relationship, parent-child relationship, family relationship, conflicts in work relationships, friendships, social relationships, Family issues, Resolving conflicts, Self-sabotage, Recurring problem-patterns in life, Anger, Grief, Forgiveness, Abuse
• Some guidelines on who can do a Family Constellation:
- Family Constellation work can be a gentle shift supporting something that you are already working on (or that God is speaking to you about). It is a tool that works alongside other healing modalities, counselling and/or ministry.
- However sometimes it can instigate larger healing shifts that you need to be prepared for, so it is good to have the resources and support in place to continue the work. That would be either a prayer partner, access to counselling etc. It is not appropriate/advisable when suffering from a depressive episode, psychosis, borderline personality disorder or post- traumatic stress. It is also not a substitute for long term therapy.
- Family Constellation work supports a shift that the soul if already in the process of making, or when somebody is really stuck, so it works best when you come with a very specific issue or dynamic you need insight on, rather than just exploring Family dynamics to “find out” what really happened or “who did what” in a previous generation.
[end]