What Is Family Constellation Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesTechniquesUsesBenefitsEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

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Table of Contents

Types

Techniques

Uses

Benefits

Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

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What is family constellation therapyFamily constellation therapy is a short-term group intervention that helps clients discover and address patterns and conflicts within their family groups.

What is family constellation therapy

Family constellation therapy is a short-term group intervention that helps clients discover and address patterns and conflicts within their family groups.

In family constellation therapy, people unrelated to the client take on the roles of various family members and act out dynamics related to the client’s concerns. It’s a form ofexpressive therapyintended to help the client work through a concern or develop insight into a conflict.

Types of Family Constellations

Because a traditional family constellation is a group, family constellation therapy is usually done in agroupsetting, but therapists also provide it on a one-to-one basis when appropriate.

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Family Constellation Therapy in a Group Setting

The therapist directs the family members’ posture, position, and words, although sometimes the activity involves minimal talking. The client might interact directly with their relatives in the constellation or stand aside and watch the interactions unfold.

Family Constellation Therapy With an Individual

In an individual setting, the client might use asand trayand toys or figurines to represent their various family members. Similarly,art therapytechniques help clients draw their family groups and indicate the various dynamics within the family.

Individual family constellation therapy doesn’t involve the client in role play with other people. Instead, the therapist and client work together over time to map out relationships and uncover patterns.

Additionally, some clients might not feel comfortable engaging in the group setting. Either option can be beneficial in providing insight into the client’s family.

Techniques in Family Constellation Therapy

In a group setting, therapists typically usedrama therapywith the other people in the group to create the family constellation.The client can observe interactions between members in real time to gain insight, or they might role play interactions with group members to practice a confrontation or address a past trauma. This type of role play can be a form ofpsychodrama.

Individual family constellations can include drawing, painting, or using objects to represent family members. The therapist can point out their own observations and will encourage the client to look for patterns and relationships that the client had not previously considered.

Exploration of these patterns can make the client aware of connections between themselves and various members of their family as well asintergenerational traumaand transgenerational patterns related to mental health and relationships.

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How Family Constellation Therapy Can Help

Family constellation therapy helps clients clarify and work on many types of issues. For example,

Family constellations are not limited to specific diagnoses. However, they can be particularly beneficial for those working throughchildhood trauma, the death of a relative, or various mental health diagnoses, including depression and anxiety.

Benefits of Family Constellation Therapy

Clients sometimes experiencecatharsisfollowing this intervention because it allows them to work through conflict, trauma, and difficult experiences in a safe environment.

Focusing on patterns and dynamics they had not previously considered helps clients develop greater insight into their behaviors. This can lead to healthier communication and more fulfilling relationships.

Family constellations also create a powerful space for processing traumatic events from the client’s past.

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Psychological researchers have extensively studied family constellation therapy as an evidence-based treatment for various mental health concerns.

Although data about overall treatment outcomes are mixed, family constellation therapy has been found to help reduce feelings ofstigma around mental healthandneurodivergence; specifically,parents of autistic childrencan work through feelings of stigma using this approach.

Family constellations can be intense, and participation might bring up strong feelings or memories related totraumaticor stressful events. Clients considering this treatment intervention should ensure that they feelcomfortable with their therapistand ask any questions or present concerns they have about doing the family constellation.

Clients need to consider whether they feel comfortable doing a family constellation with a group of people whom they likely do not know. If they feel safer with an individual approach to the family constellation, the therapist can provide them with options for creating their family constellation with objects or toys.

Criticism of Family Constellation TherapyCritics of this intervention have noted that Hellinger held misogynistic, homophobic, and other problematic views, including having an abuse survivor act out thanking their abuser for the “experience.”However, many therapists who use Hellinger’s techniques reject these attitudes and take a more progressive approach to family constellations. Also, remember that you have the right to decline any therapeutic activity if it does not feel right to you.

Criticism of Family Constellation Therapy

Critics of this intervention have noted that Hellinger held misogynistic, homophobic, and other problematic views, including having an abuse survivor act out thanking their abuser for the “experience.”However, many therapists who use Hellinger’s techniques reject these attitudes and take a more progressive approach to family constellations. Also, remember that you have the right to decline any therapeutic activity if it does not feel right to you.

If you are already in therapy, you can ask your therapist if they feel equipped to utilize the family constellation in your treatment. If they are not properly trained, you can ask them about referrals to groups that offer this intervention, or they can provide you with interventions that could offer the same benefit and fall under their scope of practice.

You might have to developcoping skillsthat work for you prior to engaging in a family constellation exercise. Because this intervention can be emotionally charged, it is important that you are prepared to manage feelings that come up for you in a healthy way.

If you want to work throughdysfunctional family experiencesand develop insight into how patterns within your family have shaped you, or you hope to make positive changes in your relationships going forward, a family constellation can be a helpful part of your treatment plan.

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We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

How to Choose the Best Type of Therapy For You

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Konkolÿ Thege, B., C. Petroll, C. Rivas, and S. Scholtens. 2021. “The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review.”Fam Process, 60 (2): 409–423. . doi:10.1111/famp.12636Toman, W.Family constellation: Its effects on personality and social behavior. 4th Edition. New York, NY. Springer Publishing Company; 1993Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S.The effectiveness of family constellation therapy in improving mental health: A systematic review.Family Process.2021;60(2), 409–423.Hellinger, B., & Ten Hövel, G.Acknowledging what is: conversations with Bert Hellinger.Phoenix, AZ: Zeig Tucker & Theisen Publishers; 1999.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Konkolÿ Thege, B., C. Petroll, C. Rivas, and S. Scholtens. 2021. “The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review.”Fam Process, 60 (2): 409–423. . doi:10.1111/famp.12636Toman, W.Family constellation: Its effects on personality and social behavior. 4th Edition. New York, NY. Springer Publishing Company; 1993Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S.The effectiveness of family constellation therapy in improving mental health: A systematic review.Family Process.2021;60(2), 409–423.Hellinger, B., & Ten Hövel, G.Acknowledging what is: conversations with Bert Hellinger.Phoenix, AZ: Zeig Tucker & Theisen Publishers; 1999.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Konkolÿ Thege, B., C. Petroll, C. Rivas, and S. Scholtens. 2021. “The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review.”Fam Process, 60 (2): 409–423. . doi:10.1111/famp.12636Toman, W.Family constellation: Its effects on personality and social behavior. 4th Edition. New York, NY. Springer Publishing Company; 1993Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S.The effectiveness of family constellation therapy in improving mental health: A systematic review.Family Process.2021;60(2), 409–423.Hellinger, B., & Ten Hövel, G.Acknowledging what is: conversations with Bert Hellinger.Phoenix, AZ: Zeig Tucker & Theisen Publishers; 1999.

Konkolÿ Thege, B., C. Petroll, C. Rivas, and S. Scholtens. 2021. “The Effectiveness of Family Constellation Therapy in Improving Mental Health: A Systematic Review.”Fam Process, 60 (2): 409–423. . doi:10.1111/famp.12636

Toman, W.Family constellation: Its effects on personality and social behavior. 4th Edition. New York, NY. Springer Publishing Company; 1993

Konkolÿ Thege B, Petroll C, Rivas C, Scholtens S.The effectiveness of family constellation therapy in improving mental health: A systematic review.Family Process.2021;60(2), 409–423.

Hellinger, B., & Ten Hövel, G.Acknowledging what is: conversations with Bert Hellinger.Phoenix, AZ: Zeig Tucker & Theisen Publishers; 1999.

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