Inner Wilderness
Systemic Constellations
Systemic Constellations are a creative and solution-focused way of addressing a wide range of difficult issues in relationships, families, at work, with health or other challenges. We work with the ‘widest possible view’, providing a different perspective on a familiar and persistent story, and revealing the hidden dynamics which contribute to keeping you stuck. The approach is often also referred to as Family Constellations – but it is different to family therapy, where the therapist works with a whole family (this is not something I offer).
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This way of working was developed German philosopher and psychotherapist Bert Hellinger. His work was based on the belief that we are greatly influenced by our intergenerational family narratives, and the roots of the issues we struggle with the most lie deep in the unconscious of our wider familial, social and cultural systems. Coming to view things in this way can bring remarkable insight, and people often experience a shift in perspective and circumstance which other forms of therapy have been unable to offer.
You don’t need to know your family history to work this way. It’s more of a body-based approach than a cognitive one, and we tap into something called the ‘knowing field’, which is essentially our perception. Many of us have lost contact with this deeper, more subtle way of knowing.
Systemic Constellations offer an opportunity to explore issues, stories and patterns in an objective way, and to reintegrate body, mind and spirit. They are a wonderfully creative way of working.
Systemic Constellations take two forms – workshop or one-to one, either as part of an ongoing counselling relationship or ad-hoc. Sometimes one session is enough or sometimes a few will be required to explore a particular issue. Any workshops I offer are on the Programmes page.
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It can be a little difficult to explain what to expect. Often people only grasp the concept and effectiveness after their initial experience of the work. The first thing we do is explore what you want to achieve, and then I ask some questions about the wider context. Once this seems clear, we co-create a ‘map’ of the situation using objects, or other participants in a workshop, as representatives of people or issues, and we see what is revealed. Expect some surprises along the way!
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Individual sessions are 1.5 hours and I work in person or online. If you are local to East Lothian, we might also meet up outside to work. Please get in touch if you would like to book a session.
