FAQs
Do I have to have an issue?
No, you do not have to attend with a burning issue. People participate in a workshop to witness the work and often this can be enough to help resolve issues in your own life without doing a full constellation of your own. Or you may find things are bubbling away before a workshop so much that you are desperate for a resolution. This can often be the best place to start.
What is representing? How will I know I can represent?
Anyone who participates in a constellation workshop may be called upon to "represent" in a constellation. Representing simply means to stand in the place in which you are put in the room and report back on any felt sense. Although people can worry they will not know how to represent, actually everybody who has ever participated has been able to "represent" accurately. You are of course at liberty not to represent if you prefer.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is a given in a constellation group. Whilst we may wish to go away and report on what we have witnessed and the impact it has on ourselves, group particpants are expected always to respect the confidentiality of participants and not speak about their experiences in any way which may identify somebody or their issues.
Further information about Family Contellations:
The method is used to create movement in situations which are "stuck" and allows solutions to emerge. People use the systemic constellation method to resolve issues in their personal emotional life, including relationship difficulties with partners, parents, children, or siblings. The method is also used to cast new light on professional issues, either for an individual within a work context, or for a whole organisation such as a school or work-place.
In these particular workshosp wel focus on family constellation work and the deep connections and loyalties we hold with our ancestors.
The basic tenet of systemic family constellations is that all have a place in the family. If someone is excluded from the family - for example through shame or unfortunate birth circumstances, a descendant will "re-member" that person, even without being conscious of their ancestor's existence, and unconsciously try to share their fate.
The systemic approach both liberates a client from feeling responsible for issues that are not theirs and also enables a client to take responsibility for issues that are theirs and theirs alone. This is not unlike psychotherapy, and constellation work grew out of the therapy movement. The difference in the approach is that by using representatives to model the client's circumstances, the work enables hidden truths and loyalties to be recognised.
Participants and witnesses frequently find the work profoundly enlightening and healing. Participating merely requires an open heart and a preparedness to stand in a circle and represent someone else. When representing, participants will be asked to report their feelings and experiences to the facilitator. This could range from "absolutely nothing" to something obscure like, "well I only want to look over there at that corner of the room" to "I am so angry with that person there I want to hit them." From this feedback and general observation, a trained and skilled facilitator may move representatives or give them sentences to say, that may be quite contrary to what the participant feels they would like to say. These actions help to move things on.
Do I need to bring information with me?
If you can find out about your family history in advance this can be very helpful. Particularly find out if anyone has been excluded from the famlly for any reason, and of if your family has been impacted by big historic events such as war or immigration.
How many people will be in the group
Usually between 8 and 14.
Can I bring someone I know?
Yes. It can be really valuable to bring friends who will remember different parts of the constellation than you. I recommend bringing friends that you deeply trust.
Can I bring family members?
Please contact me to discuss. Sometimes one of you may need to leave the room during the other's constellation.
What if I cannot stand for long periods?
Most venues have disabled access, but please check with me in advance. If you cannot stand for a long period, you can sit.
I am concerned that there might be people I know present:
Please contact me if this is a concern for you, as there are ways this can be managed.
What are the outcomes I can expect?
Participants report insights into family dynamics or the dynamics of a situation they are constellating.
They often see the root cause of a situation.
They also often feel deeply touched and seen, which can be for many a very new experience
A shift in perspective which allows for transformation to take place
People often report that they leave feeling unburdened
Often the initial experience leaves people feeling "stirred up" but later more centred, more grounded, more understanding of their own emotions.
Aftercare:
Usually clients are encouraged not to analyse their constellation and instead stay with their feelings, which will evolve over the ensuing weeks.
If after some time you would like a one to one follow up session, this can be arranged
Do I have to have an issue?
No, you do not have to attend with a burning issue. People participate in a workshop to witness the work and often this can be enough to help resolve issues in your own life without doing a full constellation of your own. Or you may find things are bubbling away before a workshop so much that you are desperate for a resolution. This can often be the best place to start.
What is representing? How will I know I can represent?
Anyone who participates in a constellation workshop may be called upon to "represent" in a constellation. Representing simply means to stand in the place in which you are put in the room and report back on any felt sense. Although people can worry they will not know how to represent, actually everybody who has ever participated has been able to "represent" accurately. You are of course at liberty not to represent if you prefer.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is a given in a constellation group. Whilst we may wish to go away and report on what we have witnessed and the impact it has on ourselves, group particpants are expected always to respect the confidentiality of participants and not speak about their experiences in any way which may identify somebody or their issues.
Further information about Family Contellations:
The method is used to create movement in situations which are "stuck" and allows solutions to emerge. People use the systemic constellation method to resolve issues in their personal emotional life, including relationship difficulties with partners, parents, children, or siblings. The method is also used to cast new light on professional issues, either for an individual within a work context, or for a whole organisation such as a school or work-place.
In these particular workshosp wel focus on family constellation work and the deep connections and loyalties we hold with our ancestors.
The basic tenet of systemic family constellations is that all have a place in the family. If someone is excluded from the family - for example through shame or unfortunate birth circumstances, a descendant will "re-member" that person, even without being conscious of their ancestor's existence, and unconsciously try to share their fate.
The systemic approach both liberates a client from feeling responsible for issues that are not theirs and also enables a client to take responsibility for issues that are theirs and theirs alone. This is not unlike psychotherapy, and constellation work grew out of the therapy movement. The difference in the approach is that by using representatives to model the client's circumstances, the work enables hidden truths and loyalties to be recognised.
Participants and witnesses frequently find the work profoundly enlightening and healing. Participating merely requires an open heart and a preparedness to stand in a circle and represent someone else. When representing, participants will be asked to report their feelings and experiences to the facilitator. This could range from "absolutely nothing" to something obscure like, "well I only want to look over there at that corner of the room" to "I am so angry with that person there I want to hit them." From this feedback and general observation, a trained and skilled facilitator may move representatives or give them sentences to say, that may be quite contrary to what the participant feels they would like to say. These actions help to move things on.
Do I need to bring information with me?
If you can find out about your family history in advance this can be very helpful. Particularly find out if anyone has been excluded from the famlly for any reason, and of if your family has been impacted by big historic events such as war or immigration.
How many people will be in the group
Usually between 8 and 14.
Can I bring someone I know?
Yes. It can be really valuable to bring friends who will remember different parts of the constellation than you. I recommend bringing friends that you deeply trust.
Can I bring family members?
Please contact me to discuss. Sometimes one of you may need to leave the room during the other's constellation.
What if I cannot stand for long periods?
Most venues have disabled access, but please check with me in advance. If you cannot stand for a long period, you can sit.
I am concerned that there might be people I know present:
Please contact me if this is a concern for you, as there are ways this can be managed.
What are the outcomes I can expect?
Participants report insights into family dynamics or the dynamics of a situation they are constellating.
They often see the root cause of a situation.
They also often feel deeply touched and seen, which can be for many a very new experience
A shift in perspective which allows for transformation to take place
People often report that they leave feeling unburdened
Often the initial experience leaves people feeling "stirred up" but later more centred, more grounded, more understanding of their own emotions.
Aftercare:
Usually clients are encouraged not to analyse their constellation and instead stay with their feelings, which will evolve over the ensuing weeks.
If after some time you would like a one to one follow up session, this can be arranged