Q It sounds like psychodrama or sculpting. How is it different?

A All of these approaches involve some kind of re-creation and restructuring of the family system. The differences: in psychodrama or sculpting, persons role play family members of the client; the therapist and client influence and shape the work in a directive way. In constellations, persons represent family members — they're not "acting" a part — instead they become vessels for information about the member's actual experience. The constellations are a phenomenological approach; Hellinger is actually adamant that this work is not "therapy" — rather it is the work of the soul (though its therapeutic effects are indisputable, and the work often captures the interests of therapists). Speaking and facing the truths of "what is" in the family is what's healing and transforming.

Q Can it be adapted for individual psychotherapy?

A Yes. A client can set up a constellation using dolls, pillows, paper footprints, or chairs. These exercises can be very useful in gaining insight into the larger system. Both client and therapist can often get a feel for the unspoken truths in the family. It's also a good way to introduce the approach to a client before they do a workshop.

Q How can this work help therapists and other helping professionals in their practice?

A Our clients are helped when we do the following:
– Understand and remain open to how larger systemic forces may influence our clients
– Encourage clients to embrace solutions instead of problems
– Help them experience how the same family love which has been harmful can be transformed into a healing force
– Provide avenues for more love and life-affirming experiences
– Include questions re: miscarriages, abortions, stillbirths, previous partners, adoptions, and suicides in family history and genogram interviews

Q When would I want to refer a client to do a weekend workshop?

A In the following situations:
– The individual or family background of the client: includes early or sudden deaths, multiple marriages, adoptions, suicides, murders, immigration, war traumas, or other entanglements.
– The client has done longterm therapy or bodywork without significant progress, or is blocked from really thriving in their life
– The couple has deeply embedded destructive or dysfunctional patterns, and/or one person is inclined to end the relationship (but is willing to give it one last shot)
– The client or child of the adult client has serious health issues that have led them to therapy
– The client or therapist has an instinct that systemic forces are negatively impacting the client
– The therapy is feeling stuck; systemic issues may be what's impeding progress