Family Constellations: a step in ones development
“There is a real danger in family constellations that people may use this form of therapy superficially. “I think I will do a constellation on my family of origin” – “I guess I’ll do a constellation on my present family now.” Using constellations as the fad of the moment degrades a powerful method to a market product. Such an unserious attitude towards family constellations does not serve the clients, bit it does contribute to the unrealistic expectation that a constellation can somehow magically solve all problems. I inform all my clients at the beginning of a group that a constellation is nothing more and nothing less than a step in ones development. I am fond of he image of a sailing boat chasing its course by one degree and landing in a completely different place than was originally intended. A constellation can contribute to a tiny course correction that may lead to a major change. As I have already said, the essence of this change rests in the inner stance and attitude of the client. A constellation is neither a miracle formula nor a magic trick and in no way guarantees that a problem will be solved permanently. I warn people that under certain circumstances they may feel even worse following a constellation, particularly if the work goes very deeply. This is due to loyalties within the family system that are stirred by any resolution of entanglements. The unconscious provokes a bad feeling and a guilty conscience in order to preserve unconscious loyalties, and it is important for clients to understand the connection.”
Ilse Kutschera & Christine Bruder, What is OUT of ORDER HERE? Illness and Family Constellations, 42
Ilse Kutschera & Christine Bruder, What is OUT of ORDER HERE? Illness and Family Constellations, 42