Systemic Family Constellations Work: Overview and Applications

Experience this effective method of systemic resolution work. Systemic Family Constellation Work has been one of the fastest growing modalities in Germany and is now making it’s way to America. Learn how you can incorporate this method into your current practice.

This 6 CEU credited class is an introduction to the fundamental principles, practices and clinical applications of Systemic Family Constellation Work through didactic, interactional and experiential learning. Participants will learn the theoretical foundations and experiential practices of Systemic Family Constellation Work. Several methods will be demonstrated which allow this work to be used as an adjunct to current therapy practices.

Participants will be introduced to the basic concepts, principles, practices and techniques of a phenomenological systemic therapeutic process commonly known as Systemic Family Constellation Work.  We will begin with a brief overview of the historical development of Systemic Phenomenology, comparing and contrasting the concepts of Iván Böszörményi-Nagy, Murray Bowen, Jacob Moreno, and Bert Hellinger and his colleagues.

Participants will receive an overview of the basic elements of Systemic Family Constellation Work including: the role of conscience, the “knowing field”, using representatives and exploring systemic entanglements. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the principles of The Orders of Love: belonging, giving and taking, and precedence. They will receive an overview of major themes seen in Systemic Family Constellation Work: guilt and innocence, forgiveness and reconciliation (victim/perpetrator dynamics), suffering and fate, bonding and the interrupted movement, and primary and secondary emotions.

The class is open to all who are interested and is appropriate for healing professionals, couple and family therapists, psychotherapists, and social workers.

Measurable Objectives

Participants will be able to:

(1) Identify indicators when to use Systemic Family Constellation work as an adjunct intervention to therapy

(2) Describe the principles and basic elements of Systemic Family Constellation work

a. The Orders of Love

b. The Knowing Field

c. The use of Representatives

(3) Define systemic entanglements and their relationship to anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, depression and other behavioral issues.

(4) Gain an understanding of diversity issues that relate to Systemic Family Constellation work

(5) Compare and contrast Systemic Family Constellation work with other systems therapy approaches

(6) Identify the stages of the Systemic Family constellation process

(7) Describe three ways to apply Systemic Family Constellation work within a clinical setting