“Many of our problems do not originate with us but have deep roots in our family’s past. Family Constellations, developed by Bert Hellinger, reveal the invisible bonds that connect us to our ancestors, helping us release emotional blocks and restore balance in our relationships. A profound journey to understand and transform what we inherit.”
Family Constellations is a therapeutic methodology developed by Bert Hellinger, a German philosopher and therapist, who explored hidden family dynamics and their impact on the lives of family members. Based on years of study in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and spiritual traditions, Hellinger discovered that many of our problems—traumas, dysfunctional behaviors, and relational difficulties—can stem from unresolved issues passed down through generations.
In the 1980s, Hellinger refined Family Constellations, combining various therapeutic techniques (such as Gestalt therapy and systemic psychotherapy) with insights into the importance of unconscious family loyalty. He observed that family members are interconnected in an emotional and energetic network and that many personal struggles arise from “entanglement,” an unconscious identification with the destinies, traumas, and suffering of ancestors.
According to Hellinger, Family Constellations are based on the idea that there are systemic laws, called Orders of Love, that regulate harmony within families. These include:
- Belonging: Every family member has the right to be part of the family system.
- Order: There is a hierarchy in which each person has a specific role.
- Balance: There must be an equilibrium between giving and receiving in family relationships.
When one of these orders is disrupted—due to traumatic events such as the premature death of a parent, abuse, or the exclusion of a family member—imbalances and suffering can arise, often affecting future generations. Family Constellations help restore order and acknowledge each member in their rightful place.
During a session, which can be conducted individually or in a group setting, the “constellated” person explores an issue they seek to clarify. In group sessions, representatives are chosen to stand in for family members or concepts related to the issue. These representatives experience emotions and movements that bring unconscious dynamics to light. With the facilitator’s guidance, these dynamics are revealed and transformed through symbolic gestures or statements of acknowledgment.
The experiences within Family Constellations can foster a deep understanding of family dynamics and stimulate inner change. The benefits include:
- Resolution of traumas and emotional blocks: Helps dissolve unresolved ties and free oneself from unconscious burdens.
- Improvement of family and personal relationships: Offers greater clarity and facilitates reconciliation in difficult relationships.
- A stronger sense of belonging and grounding: Recognizing family ties and understanding one’s place in the system fosters peace and connection.
- Freedom from repetitive family patterns: Breaks negative cycles and inherited behaviors, promoting greater freedom of choice.
Family Constellations are not merely a tool for self-exploration but a true “soul work” that reconciles past and present, creating the conditions for a freer and more authentic future.