About Barry Krost

Barry Krost is an international Family Constellations Facilitator and Trainer with more than 40 years of experience in bodywork, somatic education, and systemic healing. Through private sessions, workshops, group constellations, and professional training, he helps individuals and professionals understand the hidden family dynamics that shape relationships, emotional well-being, and life patterns.

His work integrates Family Constellations, somatic awareness, and decades of professional experience to help people recognize unconscious family patterns, restore connection, and create meaningful, lasting change. Barry is also a Certified Bodywork Practitioner, Certified Life Coach, and Licensed Massage Therapist in Illinois.

Three people in a room, engaged in a conversation. The man on the left has gray hair, glasses, and is wearing a blue shirt. The woman on the right has long blonde hair, glasses, and is dressed in a white blazer and orange top. The woman in the center has blonde hair, wearing a pink and brown tie-dye shirt. They are standing close together, smiling, with curtains and a window in the background.

A Personal Connection to This Work

Barry's interest in systemic healing extends beyond professional training. As the child and grandchild of Holocaust survivors, he developed a lifelong interest in how trauma, loss, resilience, and family history can continue to influence later generations.

This personal connection, together with decades of study and professional experience, continues to shape his approach to Family Constellations. His work is grounded in the belief that acknowledging what has been forgotten, excluded, or carried across generations can create the possibility for greater understanding, connection, and healing.

Professional Background

Barry began his professional career after graduating from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1983. During the past four decades, he has completed thousands of hours of advanced training throughout the United States and Europe in bodywork, somatic education, movement, mindfulness, energy-based healing, and systemic approaches to health and personal development.

His studies have included myofascial release, lymphatic drainage therapy, reflexology, Reiki, qigong, tai chi chuan, somatics, trigger point therapy, Zero Balancing, transpersonal psychology, meditation, and Family Constellations. Together, these disciplines have shaped an integrated understanding of how physical, emotional, and relational experiences often influence one another.

Family Constellations

Since 2003, Barry has devoted himself to the study and practice of Family Constellations, learning from respected international facilitators including Bertold Ulsamer, Dan Cohen, Scott Bader, Suzi Tucker, Ursula Franke-Bryson, Thomas Bryson, Bill Mannle, Francesca Mason Boring, and Stephan Hausner.

Today, Family Constellations is the primary focus of his professional work. He facilitates private sessions, online and in-person group constellations, experiential workshops, and an international Family Constellations Training & Certification Program for professionals and individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of systemic principles and develop facilitation skills.

His approach emphasizes presence, ethics, careful observation, and thoughtful integration. Rather than seeking dramatic experiences, he encourages a grounded process that respects each person's unique family history and unfolding journey.

Teaching & Mentoring

Barry has been teaching massage, bodywork, and continuing education courses since 1992. As an Approved Continuing Education Provider with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), he has taught workshops, conferences, and professional education programs throughout his career. He believes that teaching is more than sharing techniques. It is about helping practitioners develop presence, discernment, professionalism, and the confidence to facilitate Family Constellations with clarity, compassion, and respect.

Featured Presentations & Publications

Barry has presented internationally on Family Constellations, systemic healing, generational trauma, and family system dynamics. His presentations combine decades of professional experience with a practical, grounded approach to systemic work.

Selected Presentations

  • Keynote Speaker – International Systemic Constellations Association Gathering, Mexico (2025)
    A Dynamic Exchange of Life: Giving and Taking in Ancient Cultures

  • Workshop Presenter – International Systemic Constellations Association Gathering, Mexico (2025)
    Completing Our Interrupted Reaching Out Movement to Father

  • Guest Faculty – Estonia (2025)
    Mental Health and Autoimmune Disorders in Family Systems

  • Presenter – International Systemic Constellations Conferences (2021 & 2022)

  • Presenter – North American Systemic Constellations Conference (2021)
    Systemic Schizophrenia
    Standing with Ancestral Strength and Protection

  • Guest Presenter – 16th & 17th International Intensive in Systemic Resolution, Bernried, Germany

Bodywork & Energy Healing

Long before Family Constellations became the primary focus of his work, Barry spent decades studying and practicing bodywork and complementary approaches to health and wellness. Since beginning his professional career in 1983, he has completed thousands of hours of advanced training in bodywork, somatic education, movement, meditation, and energy-based healing.

Although Barry's professional work today centers on Family Constellations, he continues to offer bodywork and energy healing sessions for individuals seeking a hands-on, holistic approach to reducing stress, improving body awareness, and supporting their overall health. He continues to develop his understanding and skills in positional release, myofascial release, lymph drainage therapy and reflexology.

Many clients appreciate the unique perspective that comes from working with someone whose experience bridges both somatic practice and systemic healing. Learn more about Bodywork & Energy Healing

Publications & Educational Resources

Barry is the author of an extensive Family Constellations Resource Library featuring educational articles on Family Constellations, generational trauma, family relationships, systemic principles, facilitator development, and related topics. His writing reflects more than four decades of professional experience, ongoing study, and a commitment to making Family Constellations accessible through clear, grounded, and professional education.

Education, Certifications & Professional Memberships

Barry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Grinnell College and a Master of Arts in History from Northeastern Illinois University. He is certified in Family & Systemic Constellations through the Bert Hellinger Institute USA, certified in Bodywork Therapy through the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, certified as a Life Coach through the Certified Life Coach Institute, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Illinois. Barry is a member of the International Systemic Constellations Association (ISCA) and the International Professional Association for Systemic Constellations (IPASC).

Continuing the Journey

After more than four decades of professional practice, Barry continues to study, teach, write, and facilitate Family Constellations internationally. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, ethical practice, and making Family Constellations accessible through thoughtful education, professional training, and direct client experience. Whether working with individuals, couples, groups, or professionals in training, Barry's goal is to create a respectful environment where hidden family dynamics can be explored with greater awareness, compassion, and possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Barry began his professional career after graduating from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1983. Over the past four decades, he has completed thousands of hours of advanced training in bodywork, somatic education, and systemic approaches to health and personal development. Since 2003, Family Constellations has become the primary focus of his work, integrating decades of professional experience with ongoing study, teaching, and facilitation.

  • Barry integrates Family Constellations, somatic awareness, and more than 40 years of professional experience to help clients explore the hidden family dynamics that may influence relationships, emotional well-being, and recurring life patterns. His approach emphasizes presence, careful observation, ethical practice, and thoughtful integration, creating a respectful environment for meaningful personal exploration.

  • Yes. Barry works with individuals and couples worldwide through secure online private Family Constellations sessions, online group constellations, workshops, and facilitator training. He also offers in-person Family Constellations group sessions and workshops in the Chicago area, making his work accessible to participants both locally and internationally.

  • Yes. Barry offers an international Family Constellations Training & Certification Program for professionals and individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of systemic principles and develop facilitation skills. The program combines experiential learning, mentoring, supervised practice, and practical application to support confident, ethical facilitation.

  • Barry has studied Family Constellations since 2003 and has spent more than two decades facilitating individuals, couples, groups, and professionals in training. As the child and grandchild of Holocaust survivors, his personal interest in generational trauma and family systems complements his decades of professional experience, shaping a thoughtful and grounded approach to systemic healing and education.