Systemic constellations

“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” Plato

Systemic constellations provide an opportunity to explore the dynamics behind personal difficulties in a fresh way. A constellation creates a kind of living map of a personal, family or other relational issue and provides a new perspective on complex, enduring or apparently intractable challenges.

The map made up of ‘representatives’ – which a constellation creates, allows the coach and client to have an overview over the system (family, workplace or aspects of the inner life), see the connections and disconnections, the areas that need healing and attention and identify new paths to a lasting resolution.

Systemic constellation work is based on the assumption that all members of a family are interconnected over generations, regardless of whether these ties are reflected on the outside or not.

In this way, positive but also negative patterns of life and behaviours in families are often passed on unconsciously over generations and can be perpetuated. In particular, severe fates and tragic events (e. g. accidents, suicide, war) often have an effect over generations. It is, however, rarely apparent at first glance that a current, burdensome condition is linked to this.

Present-day issues that you’d like to work on can be:
-family issues
-relationships (or the lack thereof)
-difficulties in the workplace
-aspects of illnesses

The procedure of a constellation

First of all, the request of the client is clarified. The facilitator will ask the client, what the issue is that they would like to understand and, if possible, shift. For this, the client is invited to specifically name difficult events in his/her family system. Given what she hears, the facilitator will then direct the client to select members of the group to represent people or other elements important to the question the client asks about. The client then constellates his issue with the help of representatives, by positioning them in the room. Here often the representatives have distinct sensations and symptoms. Through eliciting information from representatives, the facilitator aims to uncover the deeper dynamics that hold the entanglements in place. With the help of the representatives, things can be unveiled and put into place, following a systemic order that conveys respect for everyone involved.

During a collective workshop, I work in a group of about 5-10 people.
No previous knowledge is required for these seminars.

How does it work- what is systemic perception?

Systemic and sensorial perception is an ability that all humans are born with, but that has been by and large ignored and minimized by many western cultures. It is our natural ability to recognize energy, connection, and information through our senses. In this work, participants are encouraged to trust and listen to their bodies and intuition as they feel connections and emotions. This is why this work is so healing, as everyone notices clear feelings and insights and the wealth this sense of connection creates. 

Where does the information come from?

In 1995, Albrecht Mahr, M.D., coined the term, ‘the knowing field’ to describe the flow of energy and information that appears in the space occupied by representatives in a constellation, once a question has been asked. When we tune in using our systemic perception, we can sense information coming from this field.  We say that we experience it phenomenologically, which means that we pay attention to the phenomena – the sensations, emotions, physical feelings and bits of information that emerge once we are representing an element in a constellation – without judging or analyzing it. Instead, we offer the information we receive in order to move the constellation forward. Other terms to describe the field from other disciplines are the unconscious or the collective unconscious.

Disclaimer: Please note that this approach does not provide medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. I can’t make a diagnosis, only a doctor or a psychologist can. For all complaints, please also consult a doctor.