Constellations

Constellations are a method of therapy or self-development often used in family therapy and psychotherapy.
The method was developed by German therapist Bert Hellinger in 1980.
It was used by therapists in the 1980s.

History and Bert Hellinger

In his work, Bert Hellinger set out a number of important principles:

• Systemic logic and hierarchy: in every family system there is a hierarchy, where each member has a place and a role.
  In any family system, there is a hierarchy and each family member has his or her own role and position. If the hierarchy is not respected (e.g. when younger family members take over the responsibilities of the elder ones), this can lead to imbalances.
• Eligibility: every family member has the right to belong to the scheme.
  When someone is ‘excluded’ or forgotten (e.g. a parent who has left or a child who has been lost), this can destabilise the system.
• Repetition: unresolved traumas or conflicts can be passed down the generations, affecting subsequent family members even if they are unaware of their occurrence.
• Love and loyalty: There are deep bonds of love and loyalty in the family that can lead people to take on the pain or problems of other family members.

Constellations have evolved over time into many different forms and have been used in different contexts, not only in family therapy.

Family constellations

Family constellations aim to explore and address family and systemic patterns that can affect a person’s life and psychological well-being.
It works on the premise that each person is part of a larger system, such as a family, and that their problems may result from unmet needs or imbalances within that system.
In the constellation process, people are selected to represent family members or significant factors and placed in a space that creates a kind of ‘living picture’ of the family or system.
This picture helps the constellation and the participants to uncover hidden dynamics and conflicts that can cause problems.

Business constellations

Business constellations are an adapted form of family constellations used in business and organisational contexts.
It is used to analyse the internal structures of companies and teams, to find solutions to conflict situations, to improve management structures or to identify hidden dynamics that can affect workflow and business strategies.

The objectives of business constellations:

• Improve teamwork and leadership.
• Identify and solve hidden problems in the organisation.
• Create better synergy and balance between team members.
• Examine the effectiveness of the market position and business model.

Organisation constellations

Like business constellations, organisational constellations focus on the dynamics of organisations and institutions.
Here, constellations are not limited to the people or business processes of a company, but also encompass larger systemic factors such as cultural and social influences on the organisation.
Organisational constellations are often used in management and human resources work.

Examples of uses:

• Assessing and optimising management styles.
• Streamlining workflows and processes.
• Resolving internal conflicts between teams.

Structural constellations

Structural constellations are more abstract and focus not so much on specific family members or organisational actors, but on structural elements such as ideas, beliefs, values and goals.
They are often used for personal growth and self-development purposes to identify internal conflicts or contradictions.

Examples:

• Structural constellations can help people to clarify their goals, values or decision-making processes.
• These constellations can focus on how different ideas or beliefs affect a person’s quality of life.

Group or individual constellation?

An individual constellation is a form of family constellation or systemic constellation, usually done between the constellator and the client, without the participation of the group.
This method is often used when the client is unwilling or unable to participate in group work, but still wishes to explore systemic patterns in his/her life and resolve internal or family conflicts.

Characteristics of the individual constellation

Smaller and more private format: unlike group constellations, where other people represent family members or significant others, an individual constellation takes place only between the client and the constellator.
It is therefore more private and may suit those who are uncomfortable in a group or prefer a more personal approach.

Substitutes and symbols: In group constellations, other people play a role in representing different members or elements of the system, but in an individual constellation, symbols such as figurines, dolls, pieces of paper or other objects are usually used to represent family members or other participants in the system.
The client places these objects in space to represent relationships and dynamics.

Imagination and visualisation: imagination and visualisation are often used for the individual constellation.
A constellation is often used in constellation analysis. The constellation practitioner may ask the client to imagine in their mind’s eye their family members or significant others to create a systemic picture.
The client is asked to feel and become aware of the emotions and thoughts that arise when he or she thinks about or “encounters” these people in his or her imagination.

The role of the constellator: in an individual constellation, the role of the constellator is even more important as there is no group support.
The constellator guides the client through the process, helps to identify dynamics and patterns, and guides the client towards solutions.
The constellator may also ‘represent’ elements of the system or provide feedback through intuition and knowledge.

Benefits and advantages of an individual constellation:

• Private and deeper self work: the individual constellation offers an intimate and deep experience, allowing the client to focus on their own personal feelings and patterns without being distracted by group dynamics.
• Inner work and awareness: the method focuses on the client’s inner experiences and perceptions, helping to unlock hidden inner and family patterns.
• Flexibility: the individual constellation format is more flexible, allowing therapist and client to work through symbols and visualisation, which may suit some people better than group work.

Disadvantages of the individual constellation:

• Less group dynamics: since the individual constellation does not involve other people, there is no immediate reaction and feedback from the representatives, which is characteristic of group constellations.
  Some people find that group work brings out deeper and unexpected patterns that may be harder to achieve in individual work.

• The Constellator’s greater responsibility: in an individual constellation, the Constellator must be particularly experienced and skilled, as they have to fulfil several roles: mentor, analyser and supporter.

Individual constellations are often used when a person wants to work specifically with their own internal or family patterns, but feels more comfortable in a private environment.
This method is also well suited to those who want deep and personal self-development.

Keywords where constellations can help you

Constellations near you

If you have one of these questions, you will find a solution on the Belong Events constellations platform:

• Who offers a constellation service near my home?
• When is the event of my interest, at a time and place to suit me?
• Which constellation services are available in my chosen location?