Frequently
Q: What is Systemic Family Constellation Therapy?
A: This therapeutic approach enables individuals to transcend their own perspectives and explore whether the issues or behaviours they are experiencing are inherent to them or a product of their family system or perhaps their personal trauma or experience. It is scientifically established that we inherit traumas and behavioural patterns from previous generations, often without being aware of their origins or the form in which the suffering manifested.
Q: What is the difference between a 1:1 session and a Group Session?
A: One-to-one sessions involve only the issue holder (the client) and the facilitator, making them a preferred option for individuals with social anxiety or those who require the highest level of confidentiality.
The Group Session – Offers richer insight into the client’s family System as the whole group will be helping the client. As a participant, you will be part of the group either as an Issue Holder or a Representative. Please book your place accordingly. 99% of people reported receiving a helpful understanding of their family system, even if they weren’t the Issue Holder.
It is important to know that no special skills or a particular way of acting are required from any participants. It is the facilitator’s job to ensure that the work gets done. No one shall ever feel that they must act or do anything uncomfortable. It is a healthy therapeutic method without any cringe or unpleasant situations.
Q: What happens in the Group Constellation Workshop?
A: In a constellation workshop, the process unfolds through a series of carefully guided stages designed to explore and address personal and familial issues. The workshop begins with the Facilitator setting the scene and explaining the approach, followed by an introduction where participants share their issues and provide some background information. This sharing is crucial as it helps to frame the context for the work that will follow.
Issue Holder then begins the core activity under the guidance of the Facilitator of setting up the constellation. They choose other attendees to represent their family members or specific elements of their problem. These representatives are arranged intuitively in the space to form a ‘living map’ of the Issue Holder’s internal image of the family system. This arrangement gives rise to what is known as the ‘knowing field’, an interactive space where representatives can start to resonate emotionally and physically with the people or elements they symbolise. This can be achieved even with minimum or no information about the Issue Holder’s family system, as many Issue Holders may be adopted and have no information about their biological families.
As the session progresses, representatives might experience various emotions or physical sensations that provide insights into the family dynamics. The facilitator, observing these interactions, may suggest certain ‘resolving sentences’. These are specific phrases that representatives can say to each other to acknowledge past hurts or to express understanding and acceptance. This verbal exchange is aimed at shifting the emotional energy and bringing hidden conflicts to light.
The facilitator plays a pivotal role in guidingon towards a resolution, which involves repositioning representatives and introducing new elements as needed to balance the dynamics. The ultimate goal is to alleviate emotional entanglements, allowing representatives to express positive emotions in the constellations, such as love or forgiveness, more freely.
The constellation concludes with a gentle closure, bringing representatives back to their roles as participants and enabling the seeker to reflect on the insights gained. This reflective period is an integral component of the workshop, as it facilitates participants’ integration of the knowledge acquired into their daily lives.
The therapeutic impact of the workshop often continues to unfold long after the session itself, as participants discover new ways to relate to their families and their own emotions based on the insights gained from the constellation. Although deeply interactive and emotionally charged, this method is carefully designed to provide a safe space for profound exploration and healing.
Q: Does family constellation work?
A: Family constellation therapy, also known as systemic constellations, is considered effective by many who have participated in it, although its effectiveness can vary from person to person. This therapy is based on the idea that generational family dynamics and unresolved traumas may influence problems or issues in an individual’s life in the family system.
After attending the sessions, most participants report significant emotional relief and a deeper understanding of their personal and family issues.
The effectiveness of family constellation therapy depends on how open the individual is to the process and the skill of the facilitator in guiding the session. While it might not work for everyone, for those who connect with its approach, it can be a powerful catalyst for emotional healing and deep understanding.
Q: How many sessions are typically needed?
A: Unlike traditional cognitive therapy, which typically requires regular attendance, Family Constellation Therapy often necessitates only a single session to address a specific issue. However, if a client feels that further sessions are warranted, it is generally recommended to limit the number of sessions to a maximum of three per issue.
Q: Are there any side effects or risks of this therapy?
A: Participants must conduct a thorough background check on the facilitator’s training and experience to ensure they are well-equipped to handle sensitive situations. This is crucial in preventing potential re-traumatisation or leaving clients in a deep emotional state that could harm their well-being.
A qualified facilitator should be equipped to manage and support participants through intense emotional experiences safely and constructively. They play a key role in guiding the session and must be able to handle any emotional upheavals sensitively and professionally. This oversight helps ensure the therapeutic process is beneficial and does not exacerbate or harm mental health. Therefore, always verify the qualifications and background of the facilitator before committing to a session.
Family constellation therapy is generally considered safe, but like any therapeutic approach, it may carry some risks or side effects, particularly of an emotional nature. Participants might experience intense emotions during or after the sessions as the therapy often delves into deep-seated family issues and long-standing personal problems.
Participants are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the facilitator and consider seeking additional support from mental health professionals if necessary. The key to a successful therapy experience lies in approaching it with an open mind, willing to explore emotional depths, while being supported by a robust network to navigate any challenging insights that may emerge.
Q: What are the “Orders” of the Family System?
A: In Family Constellation Therapy, we look at the four types of Orders:
Time & Space – Time moves one way. We often carry traumas or unresolved conflicts in previous generations, which are considered to continue to influence the present. Space represents the distance between people in our family system and the position they are experiencing. e.g., My grandfather is standing too close to me, I want to look away and not face him…
Place – Finding the rightful place in the family system. For example, children wanted to save their parents; hence, they became too big for their boots and started parenting the parents.
Belonging – Our inherent desire for connection and a sense of belonging is what unites individuals within the family system, ultimately reclaiming their rightful place within it.
Exchange – Balance between giving and receiving. The ones before us always give, and we receive. The ones after us shall always receive, and we shall give. The ones next to us (siblings) shall revive and give equally.