“Many of our problems do not begin with us, but are rooted in our family past. Family Constellations, developed by Bert Hellinger, reveal the invisible bonds that connect us to our ancestors, helping us to dissolve emotional blocks and restore balance in relationships. It is a profound journey to understand and transform what we inherit.”
Family Constellations are a therapeutic methodology developed by Bert Hellinger, a German philosopher and therapist, who explored the hidden dynamics within families and their impact on the lives of their members. Hellinger, drawing on years of study in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and spiritual traditions, discovered that many of our problems—traumas, dysfunctional behaviors, relational difficulties—can stem from unresolved issues passed down through generations.
In the 1980s, Hellinger refined Family Constellations by 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 connected in a network of emotional and energetic ties, and that many personal problems arise from “entanglements,” or unconscious identifications with the destinies, traumas, and sufferings of our ancestors.
According to Hellinger, Family Constellations are based on the idea that there are systemic laws, called the “orders of love,” which regulate harmony within families. These include:
– Belonging: Every member has the right to belong to the family system.
– Order: There is a hierarchy where each person occupies a specific role.
– Balance: A balance between giving and receiving in family relationships.
When one of these orders is disrupted—for example, due to traumatic events such as the premature death of a parent, abuse, or the exclusion of a family member—imbalances and suffering can emerge, manifesting in subsequent generations. Family Constellations help restore order by recognizing each member’s rightful place within the system.
During a session, which can be individual or group-based, the “constellator” explores an issue they wish to clarify. In a group setting, representatives are chosen to stand in for family members or concepts related to the issue. These representatives perceive feelings 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 recognition.
Experiences gained through Family Constellations can lead to a deep understanding of family dynamics and trigger inner change. The benefits include:
– Resolution of trauma and emotional blocks: It helps dissolve unresolved ties and free oneself from unconscious burdens.
– Improved family and personal relationships: It aids in seeing situations more clearly and reconciling difficult relationships.
– Greater sense of belonging and grounding: Recognizing family bonds and understanding one’s place in the system fosters a sense of peace and connection.
– Freedom from repetitive family scripts: It helps break negative cycles and inherited behaviors, promoting greater freedom of choice.
Thus, Family Constellations are not only a tool for inner exploration but also a true “work of the soul” that reconciles the past with the present, creating conditions for a more liberated and authentic future.