KATE O’'BOYLE Hellinger's Systemic Constellation Work

Most of us have lost that sense of unity of biosphere and humanity, which would bind and reassure us all with an affirmation of beauty. Most of us do not today believe that whatever the ups and downs of detail within our limited experience, the larger whole is primarily beautiful. -- Gregory Bateson.

Bert Hellinger’s constellation work is a resolution oriented form of family therapy. It offers an effective way of revealing unconscious dynamics that underpin destructive loyalties within family systems. Tragic and traumatic events such as the premature death of a parent or sibling, abandonment, suicide, murder, exclusion of a family member can lead to entanglements that disturb one’s life and interfere with relationships. Entanglements can exert powerful and painful forces on generations and can result in struggles such as anxiety, depression, unfulfilled relationships, suicidal thoughts, feelings of stuckness and general unhappiness. Through this work we can learn how our actions can affect others in the system, just as we are affected by the actions of others including the fates of our ancestors.

Hellinger developed his work in workshop format whereby individuals bring a particular issue to the group facilitator. Representatives are chosen for family members and are placed spatially to make visible how it “felt” to be in the family. The constellation can be considered as a living map or a 3-dimensional representation of the process. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, which allows things to be experienced as they essentially are, information is gathered relevant to the issue. As each representative describes their physical and emotional experience a living, dynamic version of the real situation is presented. The constellation helps clarify the contextual dynamics, helps understanding of family connections (including the ancestors), and helps find positions of inner strength. Hellinger has developed interventions including rituals to help break destructive family patterns, and ultimately support more compassionate and loving connections.

Individual sessions can take place using floor markers, where we can look at the family system from various perspectives and observe family dynamics from different positions. These dynamics are explored by examining the formative or feeling quality of relationship when each position is represented in turn. Whilst the phenomenon of representative perception is not as much available in individual work the intuitive process is usually as insightful and effective. The intention in individual work as with group work is to help clear enmeshments, and transition from “dark” entangled love to love that feels satisfying and connecting.

For an appointment or further details you can contact Kate at:

087 234 4201

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Last Updated 21 March 2009