Family Constellations Intensive Workshop in Chicago

Barry Krost offers in-person Family Constellations intensives in the Chicago area. Through constellations, observation, and group participation, these workshops offer time to explore hidden family dynamics, generational patterns, and what remains unresolved within the family system.

The intensive format allows us to stay with what emerges over several days. Participants can bring personal concerns, represent family members in others’ constellations, and observe how experiences across generations may influence present-day relationships, feelings, and choices. Participating in and witnessing constellations can offer different perspectives on our own families and the unconscious loyalties that connect us to them.

Meeting in person allows us to observe spatial relationships, physical responses, and changes in how representatives relate to one another. With time for reflection and discussion, we can deepen our understanding of what we perceive and consider what it may mean for our own lives.

Opening to a Fuller Life

Resolving the Hidden Family Dynamics That Hold Us Back

A Four-Day, In-Person Family Constellations Intensive
August 5–8, 2027 · 9:30 am–6:00 pm CDT daily

In this four-day Family Constellations intensive, we will explore how hidden family dynamics appear in our thoughts, feelings, and recurring patterns in relationships and work. We will acknowledge what remains unresolved in our families and explore how unconscious family loyalties may limit our understanding of who we are. As these dynamics become clearer, we may find greater freedom to be ourselves and make our own choices.

The four days include personal constellations, lectures, exercises, group participation, and discussion. Participants will also have opportunities to represent in others’ constellations and learn through observation. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants so that everyone can receive a personal constellation.

Registration

  • Early Bird Registration: $575 — through May 13, 2027

  • Regular Registration: $650

  • 15% international discount — applies to both early bird and regular registration

  • Payment plans available - A new payment option is also available: pay your $100 deposit now, then pay the remaining balance in four monthly installments.  You can select the four-installment payment option through January 31, 2027.

Participation

Prerequisite: At least 12 hours of participation in online or in-person Family Constellations workshops, or permission from Barry Krost.

  • Enrollment is limited to 24 participants

  • Certificate of Attendance provided

Location and Accommodations

Hyatt House Chicago/Schaumburg
1251 American Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-706-9007

The intensive takes place in Schaumburg, in the Chicago area.

Contact the hotel directly to ask about special room discounts for workshop participants.

Extend Your Stay and Explore Chicago

If you are traveling to attend, consider arriving early or staying a few extra days to enjoy Chicago in the summer. Adding time before or after the intensive allows you to explore the city at your own pace while leaving the workshop days for participation and reflection.

Walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline, spend time in Millennium Park, or visit the Art Institute of Chicago. An architecture cruise on the Chicago River offers a different view of the city’s buildings and history, while the Riverwalk provides places to stroll, eat, and enjoy the waterfront.

You might also explore Chicago’s neighborhoods, restaurants, live music, and theater. Whether you prefer museums and architecture, an evening performance, or a quiet walk beside the lake, an extended stay can offer time for both discovery and rest.

The workshop hotel is in Schaumburg, approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Plan transportation and allow extra time for traffic when visiting the city.

Cancellation Policy for Intensive

Cancellations received by July 5, 2027, will receive a refund less the $100 non-refundable deposit. After July 5, registration payments are non-refundable.

Registration may be transferred to another eligible participant with Barry Krost’s approval. Please submit cancellation or transfer requests in writing.

If the intensive is canceled by Barry Krost, all registration payments will be refunded. Travel and accommodation expenses are the participant’s responsibility.

Register for the Intensive

Related Resources

  • What Are Family Constellations
    This comprehensive guide introduces the principles, practices, and perspectives of Family Constellations. Learn how family relationships, belonging, the Orders of Love, the Knowing Field, and recurring family patterns may continue to influence life across generations through a clear, balanced, and experience-based approach.

  • Family Constellation Therapy
    Explore how systemic patterns, trauma, attachment, and unconscious loyalties may continue affecting later generations.

  • What Is Inherited Family Trauma?

    Inherited family trauma involves emotional, relational, and nervous system patterns that may continue after unresolved loss, violence, addiction, abandonment, or exclusion in earlier generations.

  • View All Family Constellation Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Participants explore personal concerns through facilitated constellations using volunteer representatives from the group. Representatives may stand for family members or other elements relevant to the issue. Their positions, responses, and relationships can bring previously unrecognized family dynamics into view.

    You may bring an issue to explore, serve as a representative, or observe. Each way of participating offers an opportunity to learn about family systems and reflect on your own experiences. Over four days, there is time for constellations, observation, questions, and discussion.

  • You can bring concerns involving relationships, family experiences, or recurring difficulties in your life, including:

    • Family conflict or estrangement

    • Repeating relationship patterns

    • Persistent feelings such as anxiety, guilt, anger, or sadness

    • Grief, loss, or unresolved family events

    • Difficulties involving work, finances, or a sense of direction

    • Unconscious family loyalties and generational patterns

    • Questions about belonging, identity, or your place in the family

    • Living with chronic pain or illness and exploring its place within your family experience

    You do not need to understand the underlying family dynamics before attending. A concern you can describe simply is enough to begin. Family Constellations can offer a way to explore your experience of pain or illness; it does not diagnose medical conditions or replace medical care.

  • An intensive provides more time to observe different constellations, participate as a representative, ask questions, and reflect on what emerges. Learning develops across the four days as participants encounter different expressions of family dynamics.

  • Participants are asked to keep others’ personal information and constellation experiences confidential. You are welcome to reflect on your own experience afterward while respecting the privacy of others. Because this is a group setting, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. You choose how much personal information to share.

  • This intensive requires at least 12 hours of participation in online or in-person Family Constellations workshops, or permission from Barry Krost. If you are interested but have not met this prerequisite, contact Barry to discuss whether the intensive is appropriate for you.

  • Participation as a representative is voluntary. You can decline an invitation or let the facilitator know if you need to step out of a role. Observing is also a meaningful way to participate.

  • Yes. Each participant will have the opportunity to receive a personal constellation during the four-day intensive. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants to allow time for everyone’s constellation, along with lectures, exercises, observation, group participation, and discussion.

  • You do not need a complete family history. If known, significant facts such as early deaths, separations, adoption, migration, or exclusion may be relevant. There is no need to investigate relatives or fill gaps with assumptions.

  • Participation during pregnancy is a personal decision. Family Constellations may involve the exploration of emotionally significant topics, including family history, grief, trauma, and relationship dynamics.

    Individuals who are pregnant are encouraged to consider their own circumstances and consult with their healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns. Participation should only occur to the extent that feels appropriate for the individual.

    Family Constellations is not a medical, psychological, prenatal, or healthcare service and is not intended to diagnose, treat, monitor, or prevent any medical or mental health condition.

    If you have questions about participation during pregnancy, please contact Barry before registering.

  • No. You can explore your concern without family members being present. Other participants may represent members of your family during a constellation.

  • "Barry is a real example of Hellinger’s teachings. Each attendee learned not only a great deal about themselves but also about the work and care that is required to facilitate a constellation. I walked away from this intense weekend feeling grounded and calm. Barry, with gratitude—thank you."

    — Stephen Ferang, California, USA

  • "Partaking of Barry’s workshop means feeling unswervingly safe and perpetually invited to risk full aliveness... We emerge as a group truly enlightened, disburdened, and more available to experience our fate with sovereignty restored and agency readied."

    — Jocelyn Bailey, Indiana, USA