FAQ

Family Constellations is a modality that explores inter-generational trauma and entanglements within your family system. While there is scientific evidence that families carry epigenetic components down family lines, family constellations work is on a soul level. At the core, mostly unconscious, there is a deep loyalty and love as we take on the energy, illness and patterns of certain family members in order to belong to the system.

One of the most significant benefits of family constellations is the concrete way in which we recognize and release energies and emotions that are not ours. We begin to explore the family system and process our emotions on a deep soul level where bonds of love are never broken. The soul bond lies beneath the human conscious relationship. For example, you may be carrying your grandmother’s grief from her miscarriages or you may be feeling your great grandfather’s guilt from an affair. We honor the souls who came before us and release what is not ours to carry. The benefits of this work are experienced, not necessarily explained. Each constellations reveals different underlying issues, emotions and entanglements. People report feeling calmer and free-er in their bodies. They notice shifts in their relationships. They feel validated in their inner knowing.

This work is for anyone who feels stuck in life, is noticing a familial repeating pattern, or who is seeking a deeper understanding around a particular issue such as relationships, illness and emotions. Any issue can be addressed using this methodology as long as the issue is close to your heart. The more succinct you can be in stating your issue, the more clear the constellation. All of us have multiple and layered issues. It can be challenging picking just one. If you are having trouble formulating the issue, it is my job as the facilitator to help you get to the essence. Here are some topics that have been explored: Issues with your mother or father (otherwise known as mother wounds or father wounds) Illness/Disease Feeling like you’re the black sheep of the family Feeling depression, grief or fear that goes beyond the circumstances of your life Addictions/Alcoholism Feeling stuck in your career or life path Issues with your children Pregnancy/Loss Money/Success/Abundance Suicide Abuse/Neglect Adoption

In this modality, there are 4 main components: 1. The client (you) 2. The facilitator (me) - I work with you and am in service to the family system for the highest good. 3. The field (the morphonogenic field or phenomenological field) — essentially how we are all connected and we feel into the experience and the environment. You can read more about this with Rupert Sheldrake, an expert in morphic resonance. https://www.sheldrake.org/research/morphic-resonance/introduction 4. The representatives — Representatives can be people in the group circle, figurines or other objects as stand ins, and/or you and me stepping into the various representations of the energies. You will be asked to state your issue. In a group setting, I will ask you pertinent questions related to your family’s history. As the facilitator, I will ask you to look around the group and pick someone to represent you, a pertinent relative and/or the issue and we will go from there. Each of the representatives feels into their bodies. They are not acting. They are not characters. They are not channeling. They are not spiritual mediums. They are feeling into the morphonogenic field. It happens at the soul level, not the mind. Some may report feeling stuck and unable to move. Some may start crying or feel anger immediately. Some may simply feel nothing. Representatives are asked to report what they feel, not interpret. Being asked to represent is voluntary. If we are working 1:1, whether online or in person, I will ask you to choose representatives from the figurines I have on display and we will work in a similar fashion.

Maybe? While we do look to the ancestors and we do the work of the soul, ancestral healing sometimes has a different connotation. In family constellations we are looking at the here and the now. We are seeing what is present inside of you and what is affecting you here, today, in this lifetime. There is a certain courage and presence it takes to look at our deepest wounding in this life. We process emotions and release them during the work and the soul movements. Many, many entanglements are with our family of origin, not a distant relative from hundreds of years ago. There is so much deep work that can be done in this moment when we embrace where we come from at this time on earth. Family Constellations is radical in that it allows what is without judgement. It is quite freeing to face the good, the bad, the ugly and the divine in our family line and know that it all belongs.

Yes, absolutely. We look at entanglements with the birth parents and family and the adoptive parents and family.

No. The word constellations is used to imply the beautiful, natural and organic way in which we move, live and breathe within our family systems. Like stars in the universe we are affected by the gravity and pull of all of the stars and suns around us.

Immense gratitude goes to Bert Hellinger (1925-2019), the founder of family constellations. As a priest, he spent 16 years with the Zulu tribe of South Africa and was introduced to the concept of group dynamics.  Eventually making his way back to Germany, he left the priesthood and studied psychotherapy. Family constellations has influences from gestalt therapy, internal family systems, and group dynamics, but Hellinger never referred to his approach as therapy. He viewed it as a living philosophy with the foundational principles being applied to every day life. Many of his teachings are based on his observations at a divine consciousness level.

No. This work is about seeing what is. We do not lay blame or ask forgiveness. If that happens as a result of a constellation, so be it. But it is not a requirement or something we look to achieve.

Yes. This work is not about whether or not you have children.