You may have heard of Systemic Family Constellations before, mentioned by a fascinated friend or a family member who attended a workshop in their own attempt to resolve a particular issue or pattern they have struggled with. Or you may have seen it on Netflix- either in Gwyneth Paltrow's Sex, Love & Goop documentary where it was used in a couple's therapy, or beautifully interwoven in Turkish series Another Self about a group of friends embarking on a touching healing journey.
How I discovered Systemic Constellations...and never looked back
I fell in love with Systemic Constellations many years ago, as a young psychology intern in Croatia with an abundant trauma history. My supervisor made a simple suggestion one day.
"You should try Systemic Family Constellations."
"What is it?" I asked, never having heard of that modality before.
She had a cheeky smile on her face. "You will have to experience it yourself."
And so I did, traveling all the way to the capital city to attend a one-day workshop with a facilitator who trained with THE Bert Hellinger (founder of constellations). I was accompanied by my highly-sceptical then-partner who very clearly stated he was only coming to support me and would happily sit out, not participate in any way and just observe from the furthest (most hidden) corner of the room.
By the end of the day, we were both completely blown away by what unfolded in that room. My Sceptical Partner was invited (and happily said YES!- to my utter surprise) to be a representative in almost every constellation of the day. He laughed and cried, deeply touched by the healing experiences he was a part of. When my own constellation took place, we were both shocked to see representatives resemble my family members and situations with such accuracy, without representatives having any prior knowledge of my family system. I still to this day remember my first constellation, some parts of it still working on me and starting to make sense like missing puzzle pieces many years later. What I remember very vividly was the deep sense of peace permeating our beings after that workshop, peace I have never experienced in my life before.
Some years later, in Australia, I met Maria Dolenc, my soon-to-become trainer, supervisor, mentor, and dear friend. Before becoming a Systemic Constellations facilitator myself, I asked her:
"How do you explain what happens in the Knowing Field of constellations? HOW does it work?"
She laughed. "You know, after so many years of working with it, I stopped asking myself that question! I do not know the answer. The only thing I know is that IT WORKS!"
If your curiosity brought you here, it means you should be exactly here. Systemic Constellations work in such a way that people who are truly ready will find it and be drawn to it- exactly at the right time for them. You may find some of your missing puzzle pieces here, or be guided toward further exploration.
Since it is an experiential modality, the best way to understand it would be to attend it- either as a client setting up your own constellation, a representative or an observer. However, for those whose logical parts need a bit of reassurance prior to jumping into it, here it is- a few words about the birth and evolution of this fascinating modality.
The origin of Systemic Constellations
Bert Hellinger, the visionary behind Systemic Family Constellations, was profoundly influenced by his experiences working as a missionary with the Zulu tribes in South Africa during the 1950s. It was there that he observed the Zulu's profound sense of community and interconnectedness, as well as their unique approach to conflict resolution and healing.
The Zulu tribes had a tradition of coming together as a community to address and resolve issues collectively. Hellinger was inspired by their ceremonies, which involved acknowledging the ancestors' presence and their influence on the living members of the tribe. This holistic perspective on family and community dynamics left a lasting impression on Hellinger and years later, when he became a psychotherapist, he incorporated this wisdom into his therapeutic work. He started to explore the influence of family systems on individuals' lives and observed how unresolved traumas and intergenerational patterns could affect one's well-being.
Systemic Family Constellations draw upon influences from family systems theory, phenomenology, indigenous traditions, Gestalt therapy, psychodrama, and transgenerational psychology, creating a unique and holistic approach to understanding and healing family dynamics and fostering emotional growth within family systems.
Further exploration
Are you curious to find out what does a constellation session looks like, and who may benefit from it? Read about it in the next post What does a Systemic Constellation session look (or rather, FEEL) like?.
In addition to that, if you feel curious about experiencing Systemic Constellations yourself, you will know deep inside when the time is right. To find out more about it, you can listen to the podcast or watch one of the series below.
If you have any questions or would like to book a session, reach out to hello@mihaelahomjak.com.au .
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