Jakob Schneider

Constellations of families and other systems have become well known in a

group setting. This work and the related areas of resolution orientated
systemic work and phenomenological psychotherapy have achieved a
fundamental significance in psycho- social areas and are also having effects
on various approaches in individual therapy.
There are many therapists and counsellors working in situations which do
not allow for group constellation work. There are also some who might not
feel comfortable working in a group setting. Nonetheless, at a deep level
many of these therapists feel attracted to the underlying concepts and tools of
constellation work and are looking for ways to integrate this approach into
their work with individuals, couples, and families, or perhaps even small
supervision groups. Constellation work with figures or objects provides a
simple and direct method. The figures, representing family member or
significant people in a particular system, are arranged on a table or within a
defined space in the room.

The Figures
The following is based on my personal experience with figure
constellations. Very soon after my first experience with Bert Hellinger's
family constellations and my first attempts to work with

1 Published in: Weber, Gunthard (Ed.) (2000): Praxis des Familien-Stellens. Beitrage
zu Systemischen Losungen nach Bert Hellinger. Heidelberg (Carl-
Auer-Systeme).
1
 orientation
provide
this thetowards
method clarity aand
in groups,timestrength
frame of childhood
that bagand
areacritical oftotake the awaysuccessfrom ofthea family
experiences. They can beI resolved
pulled out
by retroactive my son's
healing Playmobile
process in thefigures
soul
'timeless'
constellation. quality The of the constellation
therapist and thework.client need to know right from the
which
between had thelongchild since
and been relegated to
a life-essential the basement. I started carrying them
other.
beginning
withFinally, where
me to those to
thereplacesdirect broad area of bondingofand
their
is the where energies. Both them have toinhave
releasing some
relationships.
sense Prior Experience
of the 'group with
soul'Group that Constellations
IProblems
didn't havearise theinsupport
a person's of will
a deep carry
group fortheir
bonds mytoefforts
counselling
a communal looking for
anddestiny a good
therapy and work.
the
I,resolution.
myself, work primarily with groups and my use of figures in individual work
These included a marriage and family
consequences thereof, primarily within the family and extended family. counselling centre, a psychosomatic
is based The totally
client's on my constellation
real issue groups, work
is frequently in groups.
hidden I cannot imagine doing
clinic,
Resolution smallis supervision
to be found through and my
insights own theatorders
intoprivate the beginning
of love. of an
practice.
constellations
individual with
session, figures
asworkis in without
thesome any experience of group constellations. onI afirst
IConstellation
was compelled isstrength
focusedway that to might
on proceed
the have
in
processes thisaofdirection.
positive
bondingeffect After my
and releasing
believe
resolution. that Guidance
one needsisexperience with group constellations in order to workin
experience
in the soul. group needed
ofResolutions family into thethrough
constellations
emerge constellation
Ilooking
was alreadyworkat an and the process
certain
entire that this was
relationship
competently
the 'my'
soul that with
supports figure this constellations.
work. This This experience
guidance should beneed
rather notshort,
be working
leading
system. methodEveryone and 'my' in theway systemof doing has atherapy,
equal right whether to belongin groups and must or with be
directly
immediately with groups
away doing
from anyconstellations.
side issues orI would recommend
distractions, steering experience
attention with
and
individuals.
allowed to take Reachinghis or her for rightful
the Playmobileplace. Everyone figures carries was somethingtheir own fate that
aenergy
personal constellation
towards the in a group,family
fundamental and observing
processes. system
and constellations
building trust in the
for
happened
themselvesvery and each naturally, without
must refrain from much prior inconsideration.
meddling the fate of others, Theyand were
all
groups,
work or videosI of
together. these comment
usually which canbriefly provideabout somemy impression
way of of what they
working, about
simply
the members available, of thepractical,
system has andtoeasy allowtothosecarrythings around, thatand are there
past towere really only
be
are like. I know in
entanglements therapists
family and counsellors
systems, crises who
in work with figures
relationships, and without
about ever
what
minimal
past. It has differences
to do withbetween life and them, death, simply
good luck males andand bad,females
health and in various
illness,
having
things led
I a constellation
will be looking group,
for. If but
I I don't have
already know some of anyone idea who
where would our try
work
colour
successful combinations.
and unsuccessful relationships, belonging and exclusion, giving
working
might be with figures
heading, I maywithout tellandever
one having
or more seen a constellation in a group.
and Thank
taking, heavens
recompense I didn't askdebt, and appropriate
anyone with stories
aboutself-determination
it at that point,from asas other case
opposed
I was able to
In
histories. the next
If I section
have no I will
sense go
of into
which detail about
direction when
the a
work constellation
is going to with
go, it is
beingexperience
gain a pawn, subject with the to the influences
figures without in any
the system.
external opinions or objections.
figures
sometimes is appropriate,
helpful to how I proceed
offer a also in an of
mixture individual
short that session when
examples andwhen I pay
am using
These In days,
essence, I'm not these even aresure youthecancriteria
still buy theindicate
very simple aclosefamily
Playmobile
aattention
figure constellation,
to the reaction howofIthe introduce
client. it to a client, and how I work with the
constellation
figures, but it couldis not be a helpful
terribly method:
important what Whenever
kind of figures there isare something
used. There in the'
is,
figureThe constellation.
basis for aI will
step then
that goresolve
into theinrisks a and opportunities
constellation is builtinherent
from inthe
for
group example,soul' athat so- calledis in 'familywant board' of order, with wooden
peace, or figures that is now
conclusion; when on
this method
relevant and finally, the
information: I willmostsay important
something events about figurein the constellations
family history, andthe
the market.
entanglements are hindering a process of resolution; or when a difficult
'soul'
current work and the
family and/ value or of thethe approach
family in this and
of origin, regard. the fates of those in the
destiny There in aarefamilysomeiscriteriaprovingI consider
burdensome. important in the choice of figures:
family and clan. This information and the way the client shares it often lead
to a deep movement through the relationship system and a first glance into
the operative love, respect, and entanglements. Or, you may sense
immediately what information has strength and what doesn't. if something
They should be figures that the therapist can work with comfortably.
important has
Procedures been omitted, or if the client does not have some critical
Don'twith worry Figure Constellations
about whether clients will accept them. If the method and
The
information. Place of Figure Constellations in Therapy
Many therapiststhe toolsand are counsellors
right for the will want clients
therapist, to integrate familyalways
will almost constellations
concur.
Counselling This and
exchange
using figures therapy of
with their are concerned
information is with
dialogicsupporting
and botha process
the clientthat moves
and
ownthe
The figures shouldown haveway of working
as little 'character'and with their
as possible, thereby basic
towards
therapist a resolution.
need
therapeutic to Such
have
orientation. processes
contact with may
For myself, when the' appear
group in a
soul'. wide
there areand The variety
process
issues of forms.
relies
of bonding on
keeping any pre-conceptions to a minimum also reducing anyand
essentials
First, and
there
letting go, exists
are in
problems
I normally the service
which of
can
have only one resolution.
be resolved It can
by be
changesachieved in only
behaviour, with
distraction from non-essentials. Thesession
figures are in notwhich the work
important in is
respect
through and
learning,
concentrated consent concerning
creativity,
fully on and the events
spirituality. and fates
Here involved.
the concern, to a certain
themselves, buttheonlyfigure constellation.
as a spatial projectionThere of the is, membershowever, of the most
extent, Theis with
core
certainly system. some
of the kind
systemic of
a wide variety of procedures. mental
orientated activity
work that
is the releases
figure the client
constellation from
itself:
thinking
finding and There are in
acting
-actually wayselements
allowing
certain that blockthat
oneself resolution.
to be important
are touched by in -he dynamics
proceeding withofa the figure
relationship
Then
constellation. system,
there is the Just rearranging
areaas of in trauma,
a groupthethe positions
deep wounds
constellation, of the figures
that
it is in
usually in
essential a
have'picture
an to doof
individual
resolution',
with asession
disruption and
that speaking
of figure
the appropriate
aconstellation
loving, reaching-out sentences
isifdealing withof
movement a bonding towards
serious andone'sreleasing.
and mother,
Working with is easier the figures allow for aissuefew basic isdistinctions:
carried by
father,the forsignificant
client's
example,energy. others,
between ormale
The towards and life
therapist is itself.
female,dependent Suchway
some traumatic
on this energy
to indicate injuries the most
which pushesa
direction
often towards
stem from
figure early childhood
isresolution
facing, andperhaps
and the 'soulcolours,
weight' of or the
some client's
marks question. As a starting
that distinguish one
point,
personquestions aboutUsing
from another. the nature offigures
smaller the issue
for at hand and
children maythen about whatas
be distracting
would be a suggest
they could good outcome
an
4
2 35
The
If it family Introducing
difficulty
happens that
mentioned
dynamics the Figure
I cannotand last,theConstellation
feel figures
my way
feelings placedintorepresentatives
of the inthea line,
dynamics occursof repeatedly
hitsthe homesystem, andbuttouches
ifisI
haveWhen
easily no
corrected.
something, someone
feeling Remind
the has
forclientthe already
family
the
willclient seen
be members
in that orheexperienced
contact represented
orhisshe family
is already
or her by the
family constellations
represented
in figures
a tranceorstate bytheainofaa
group
figure
system and
greater or
dynamics,
theorknows
lesserorBert
constellation Hellinger's
if the
degree. has
clientto reflectbooksthe
remains oruntouched
videos, a figure
relationship byofmy constellation
each 'picture'
person of barely
to the
needs
others
relationship
in As anIfamily.
the introduction.
network,
speak, I pay You
thenattention cantosimply
I interrupt ask the
thetheclient's
constellation client process
reaction. to set upand
Sometimes their askfamily
I gather if my
members
sense of things seems right and makes sense to the person. When I succeednot
further information, with the
tell figures.
short Here
stories, too,
or however,
simply stop as
the with
work. people who are in
Working
familiar with
with a figure
family Constellation
constellations,
getting into the system and its dynamics, the client is won over and usually I refer to the group constellation work
and
A figure
nothingbriefly more describe
constellation stands thein course
serves thetoway ofof
reveal a constellation
clients' entanglements
working towardsin a group.
a good inAt the least for me,
family
resolution. It is
system Risks
itnot and and
simplifies to Opportunities
makethe work
bonds ifin I Figure
andwork Constellations
with
resolutions
seldom that a client asks with astonishment, 'How do you know that?' the figures
clear. Itjust
allows as in a
the constellation
individual to with
Therepresentatives.
take an appropriate
dangers
In the next and phase, position
mistakes in that
I continue the relationship
canwork
to be with madenetwork,
the in figures a position
doing infrom
just aas figure a group
which constellation. I change the positions of the figures, and say aloudthewhat
is
constellation it
After possible
Iarehave to take
basically
established in, honour
the thesame and respect
ones
connection both
present
between parents.
when
the It
doing
figure permits group
constellation
person toa let
constellations:
and
changes go
groupoccur with inlove,thetodynamics
constellation, seeIwho must
and be
determine allowed
with
feelings, theuntilto gowe
client inwhich
peace,
can see andwhat
people to areis
takeimportant-or
anyone who
attempting has
toinitially
reveal been excluded
important-for
itself. I continue back theininto a rightful
constellation,
this way until place
and
we layin the
come thetosystem
necessary
an image
and figures
into the
thaton
of resolution. client's
youthe are heart.
table.
When working I Then,
am without I ask
certain, the
thebecause
client client of to
being truly
my position
ready
own thework
to
feelings figures
ofand being in
The
touched dynamics
relationship
without andtothose of
theone bonding
another,
strength
of and
of the
the client, withoutresolution
client;
I simplyspeaking have
stay with to be
or explaining, made
what emerges clear
according by the
and speak to anit
figure
inner constellation
aloud. image,
that If you
I don't without
are feel without
followingcertain, the
regardsome support
toI interrupt
any
pre-set of
specific representatives'
pattern time,
the process which without
does
and ask feelings
any
notwhat and
justification,
allow the client
feedback,
but
feels,simply
whatsince
in terms figures
issonew that
ofand it
self cannot
feels feel
right to
different
or other in and cannot
somemembers,
emerge;
family speak.
way. Mostinoflooking It is the
the time, task
at clients of
the movement the
can set
therapist
up
of athe or counsellor
constellation
that figures.
you areI ask to
withfor
working use the
nofurther figure
difficulty.
with too constellation
information
much information, to feel
or try different into
or you are the
positionssystem
missingof the
and figures
express When
criticalthedetermine
to feelings
problems
information; that
do
which reflect
arise, they
seems themore
arefamily
usually dynamics.
correct. noI different
continue Naturally,
than
untilwhat youdynamics
the can
happens
ask in thea group.
and client
the
thatsolution
you toare
It maydoare this
not
being behimself,
revealed rightwhich
the clearly
influenced moment
by enough.
visualsometimes
to results
do a constellation
patterns in anbecause
and associations 'Aha!'
and the
experience.
clientIare does
asknotInthe my
not yet
client
finding experience,
have
to feel
harmony theinto however,
necessary
withthethe clients
inner
position
soul. are often
ofreadiness,
resolution orand blind
there report to how
isn't the that
enough
essentials
feels.inI of
trust thethe
watch to family
method see iforthis dynamics.
the is aThey
therapist,
place or what
relief do the
for bring
is client
actuallyanandunconscious
called for is to
if it appears a
understanding
Theconstellation
heal,
maintoshortcoming toofthe
resolve, process
aordifferent
to soothe.
compared orItosometimes
system, they
a perhaps
group would thenot
stop thebe
family
constellation figureable
ofisorigin to ainstead
set
constellation
that up of
therapist ata this
the
constellation
can present
point.
often get properly
family,in touch or viceand with the
versa. therapist
system would not
dynamics be ablethe
through to sometimes
get a feelingvery for
the system,
surprising This
I often but
reveals
statements this upon
call unconscious
onethethe
of knowledge
ofrepresentatives.
the
sentencesbig disadvantages is concealed.
of resolution
Especially of
that The task
individual
would
in difficult ofwith
therapy
be spoken
cases, the inasa
therapist,
newopposed
group asconstellation
and unfamiliar an
to outsider,
group dynamics, is to In
work.
when help
the
this the
a group
clientclient's
you For
replaces
is critical. 'group
can example,
work
his soul'
or firstopen
her within such
thosea who
ifrepresentative
one person way
in ina arethe
that
systemwhat
ready. is
constellation, hidden
Others,
is being drawn is
who revealed
may
or a sentence be
to leave in and can
reticent,
thatplace be spoken
indecisive,
a representative aloud.
of another, thisor in doubt,
might can enter
say directly
is often not clear into the
to the
Right
work
client.
directly from from
slowly
I dothe the
thisthroughbeginning, the
when a client
constellation. I present
processes inthe
It is experiencing concept
others'
the statementsdifficulty of a
constellations,group constellation
or by
taking his or her
of the representative acting
that new as
as
may representatives
our working
place
provide in thesome ideal
system inand someone
indication orI base
when ofmy else's
this family system.
thecomments
resolution
dynamic. about
Ifwe the
have They
a therapist family can take
hasdynamics
arrived theirnot
aatsuspicion
does ontime yet
group
aboutwith
'sit', their
process.
or seems of
something ownAs inner
an
to need process.
outsider,
this kind, I voice
furtheritdeepening my
is easier to feelings in
or elucidation. the role
check it out in a group. The of each family
member
energy and If init aproves
particular
Frequently,
participation difficult position.
the ofmost for someone
the groupThat
important is to
members position
say,
partI observing
do
ofthenot
the figures
say how
process
the in relationship
theinfamily
constellation a figure to
members
alsoeach
givesother,themselves
constellation-as
important I sometimes itfeelis in
indications indothis itgroup
a aboutfor
position,
them
the according
but rather
constellation-is
accuracy towhat
of tentativewhatever
being representatives
feels right
touched
hypotheses. by the to
wouldme probably
with
sentences
These the
that feel.
difficulties, information
revealI do thisdepth
the
however, because
I are
have.
ofnot it critical.
the Igives
thentheThe
bonds, ask
andclient
thesome
the
dynamics clientdistance
relief oftothe
and correct
release from
client's in mythe
theirconstellation.
'group dominant
sentences
soul' is not experience
of If you have
strength.
opened with
by I the the
family
often impression
askmembers
a clientthat
representatives, and
to
butthe because
byconstellation
speak thethe itappropriate
leaves
client's has
soul.mebeenand
In an set
words,
the up
clientfrom
silently
individual more some
or
setting freedom
aloud, idea
youand ortoimagine
can ifexperience
it does
also not
making,
feel and
the concurtake somehow
inwhen
or actually
power whatmake, acan withbe
thethe
hypothesis seen information
in
accompanying the
brings
constellation.
given,
gestures,
something or if
It all
for
essential also the
example, makes
to figures
light. aitbowing
easier
are setfor inme
down a movement.
line
to correct
facing what the client has been at the said
table,
and you
to work
may
Thearound
have toresistance.
last criteria ask the is aperson If what
feeling toofcheck
I harmony
say about
the constellation
the of beingagain.
and touched of both the
therapist and the client. This can be quite astounding in a

68 9
'7
The client
figure and therapist's resonance
constellation. The therapist with sees
the 'group soul' and its
the resolution dynamics
through a direct
comesawareness
not fromofthethefigures, but through the figures. At the
client. Awareness means taking in what emerges out same time, theof the
figurehidden
constellation
depths. Thesupports a therapeutic
old Greek work forprocess that that
truth means is externalised
which is notand hidden
leads from
awayview.
fromThe internal thoughts and ideas. It lives closer to
things that untangle and resolve usually come unexpectedly reality than
simplyand'talking about'.
quietly. They touch, they serve peace, and they favour action. They
The surprising
honour everyonedepth andofarefeelings of being
beneficial touchedindo
to everyone thenot come just from
system.
the constellation. The 'resonance'
Figure constellations alsois provide
also connected to words:when
an opportunity, to words that or
a therapist
reflectcounsellor
basic truths, to words
does not feel thatcompetent
bring clarity, to to wordsgroup
handle of bonding and words
processes. A group
of disentangling,
constellation may to words
take onofa dynamic
love andof strength. The deeply
its own which no longer moving
serves the
experiences
client's also
systemariseif from gestures,
it is lacking a physical
a clear vision,expression of the movements
precise awareness, and a certain
of thequality
soul. of leadership from the therapist. A figure constellation also avoids the
Working
danger ofwith figures hasbringing
representatives an effect in in
theirtheowndepths onlyproblems.
personal when it goes One price
beyondforthe visualinaspects
control this areato the fieldthere
is that of theis relationship
less control network,
over the when the and
prejudices
powerblind
of this fieldofisthe
spots allowed to penetrate
therapist, and in an andindividual
open the setting,
resolvinga and healing
therapist is more
dialogues and gestures.
vulnerable to the 'pull' of the client, which can sometimes be considerable.

The Value of Figure Constellations as a Method

Anyone who is convinced of the deep-reaching processes in family systems
and in the soul can also, of course, work towards solutions without
constellations, group or figures,
Figure Constellations and Soul just
Workthrough an awareness of the essential
eventsIn and fates,
group and in stayingthose
constellations, harmony
who with the soul of the
are positioned person
in the seeking are
constellation
help in the searchtofor
resonating theinsight.
soul of the system. Figures cannot do this. They remain
Normally, however,objects
representative such awhich
method makes inthethework
function mind'sof the
eye.therapist
You do not easier
need to
and also gives the
ask figures client
to get out access
of theirtoroles
what at is
theessential
end of the and critical. It collects
constellation.
information, Figure structures the can
constellations procedures
be limited andto afocuses attention. Using
visual representation, which is
constellations,
how I worked it is easier
in my forfirstthe client
years. Theandfigures
therapist to experience
provide being on
a visual bridge, a
a graphic
path depiction
together, open of what to whatever might emerge
is being discussed, fromthat
a method the perhaps
hidden depths.
allows forThey
indirect
join together
suggestions. in theAll space
this of
canthebeclient's soul, only
very helpful, butfor as longconstellation
a figure as necessarycan to offer
find more.
a resolution. In a figure
It is amazing how constellation and an image
quickly it establishes a spaceoffor resolution,
the soul in thewhich
clienttheexperiences
'group soul' something
can resonate. thatThis
canresonance
be taken home-something
is carried over to the thattherapist
continues
and the to client.
work on in the soul and often only unfolds its full effects over a
period of Constellation
time. work is not just working with visual images. It touches and
Perhaps it is something
moves because it provides akin tospace
a theatrefor performance.
the pictures.Just reading
Spatial a play are
pictures
can hold me spellbound,
different from flat two butdimensional
the performance in the
pictures, nottheatre
only inis providing
usually a deeper
the correct
and more impressive experience. This is true, however, only
dimensions for relationships, but more importantly, in allowing something to when it remains
true to theupheart
rise out of ofthe
theplay, to reality,
picture, and todifficult
something a transformation
to describe in that
the audience.
is not visible
just through looking at a picture. What comes out is something like a
resonating field.

10 11