Family Therapy in Dubai: What are Family Constellations?
Since the beginning of times, humans have been inspired by nature and used its imagery to metaphorically describe the socio-anthropological phenomena happening in daily life. A perfect example, applicable across many languages and cultures, is one of the roots.
Often representing life, the tree is a universal symbol in various mythological, religious, and philosophical traditions. A tree's vitality is intimately linked to the health of its roots, which anchor it in the earth and supply the nutrients required for growth. But apart from the primary use of the word, "roots" has diverse connotations: it may denote our origins, ethnicity, or family lineage, or refer to the process of establishing oneself in a new location. Just as a tree's roots must be healthy to provide a firm foundation, we also need healthy roots to reach new heights and flourish: only then can we blossom into something greater than before. But how to understand, heal, and nurture our parable roots in a non-parabolic way?
The Impact Of Living In A Constellation
Whether we like it or not, we are all part of a well-structured system: our family system. We all came into this world genetically linked to our parents, our siblings, our grandparents, to all of our ancestors. Just like an ancient, venerable tree with so many roots digging deep into the earth and so many branches reaching high in the sky as shining stars: as a great constellation. Even if we have suffered the death of some family members, or that we haven’t spoken to each other for years, we are still linked together, and these links have an impact on our health and well-being.
The German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger noticed that many of the conflicts and issues he encountered with his clients had their roots in the family system. His experiences working with families in South Africa in the 1990s led him to realize that the dynamics of the family system often extended beyond the individual, affecting entire families and even generations.
During our lives, we are confronted with all kinds of situations. These situations will provoke feelings, that will provoke reactions. As individuals, we will all react in different ways, depending on past experiences and our personalities. And as we progress through life, we might start recognizing repetitive patterns or experiencing irrational fears.
The family system has a such strong impact on our lives that these groundless emotions can be traced back to an event that happened to a member of our family, in our current family constellation, or has a deeper root: they might be unresolved traumas, passed down from generation to generation. In both situations, they can be addressed through Family Constellations.
But what are Family Constellations exactly?
If you are looking to pursue Family Therapy in Dubai, you might want to look into Family Constellations. Also called Systemic Constellations. Through his work, Hellinger developed a deep understanding of the systemic patterns that underlie personal issues. He found that many people were carrying emotional burdens that were not their own, but rather belonged to their family system. These emotional entanglements often manifested as feelings of anxiety, depression, or a general sense of purposelessness.
In Family Constellations, the facilitator guides the client through a process of exploring their family history, relationships, and patterns of behavior. The client is encouraged to identify hidden loyalties and emotional entanglements and to explore the dynamics of the family system. The facilitator will most likely use a variety of techniques, including role-playing, visualization, and bodywork, to help the client gain a deeper understanding of their family history and emotional patterns.
One of the key principles of Family Constellations is that the family system is interconnected and that our individual experiences are deeply influenced by the dynamics of our family history. This means that unresolved traumas, conflicts, and emotional entanglements can affect not only the individual but also other members of the family system, seeking to restore balance to the structure by identifying and resolving tensions.
Group or Individual Therapy?
Family Constellations can be done in a group or individual therapy session, and both formats have their own unique benefits:
Group sessions can be particularly powerful, as they allow clients to explore the family system in a conducive and non-judgmental environment. In a group session, the client can also benefit from the insights and experiences of others, which can provide a broader perspective on their own family history and patterns of behavior.
An individual therapy session, on the other hand, will offer you the facilitator’s complete attention, and more flexibility in terms of scheduling.
In the end, it all goes down to what are you comfortable with. You might not want to deal with some sensitive issues with a group of people, as non-judgmental as they are, and that is totally okay. What matters is that you follow the path that resonates with you.
The Three Dynamics
At its core, Family Constellations are a process of revealing hidden loyalties, emotional entanglements, and unresolved traumas within a person's family system. Our individual experiences are deeply influenced by the dynamics of our family history, and according to Hellinger, these dynamics often manifest in three ways:
Belonging: Our sense of belonging to our family system is essential to our overall sense of well-being. When we feel disconnected from our family, we may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, or a general sense of futility.
Order: Family Constellations emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of order and chaos within the family system. When there is too much chaos or too much rigidity, it can create tension and disharmony.
Balance: Our family system is made up of many interdependent parts, and when one part is out of balance, it can create a ripple effect throughout the system. Family Constellations seek to restore balance to the system by identifying and resolving imbalances and tensions.
Understanding The Entanglements
Bert Hellinger has written extensively about Family Constellations and the benefits of this therapeutic modality. In his book "Love's Hidden Symmetry," he explains the concept of "entanglement," which refers to the way in which unresolved traumas and emotions can become "stuck" in a family system and affect future generations. Hellinger writes, "What is unresolved in the life of the parents is passed on to the children, and the children carry it on… There is a force that links one generation to the next."
Another key concept in the book is the idea of the family soul, which refers to the larger, trans-generational field of consciousness that connects all members of a family system. Hellinger suggests that our individual destinies are intimately connected to the fate of our family systems and that by uncovering and addressing hidden dynamics within the family, we can bring healing to ourselves and to future generations.
Through Family Constellations, clients can gain insight into their own entanglements and patterns of behavior, and work to resolve them. Hellinger explains that the therapy can help people to find their own place within the family system, allowing them to move forward with a sense of clarity and purpose. He writes, "The more we can recognize and accept our place in the family, the more we can move freely and confidently in our own lives."
What Are The Benefits?
The benefits of Family Constellations are not just anecdotal. Several scientific studies have shown that Family Constellations can be an effective treatment for a wide range of emotional and psychological issues. For example, a study published in the Journal of Family Therapy found that Family Constellations were effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in participants.
Another study, published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, found that Family Constellations were effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam War veterans. The study showed that after just three sessions of Family Constellations, participants reported a significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD. This is particularly significant given the challenges of treating PTSD, which can be difficult to address through traditional talk therapy.
Bart Hellinger has described the approach as a "therapy of the soul", seeing it as a way to access a deeper level of understanding and healing, beyond the limits of the rational mind. By working with the family system, Family Constellations allows clients to access the wisdom and insight of the collective unconscious, and tap into the healing power of the larger field of consciousness.
Some other benefits can be but are not reduced to:
Increased self-awareness: Family Constellation Therapy can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of their own patterns of behavior and how they may be influenced by family dynamics and systemic forces.
Healing past traumas: By exploring and addressing past traumas or unresolved issues within the family system, Family Constellation Therapy can help individuals heal emotional wounds and move towards a place of greater acceptance and peace.
Improved relationships: Family Constellation Therapy can help improve communication and relationships within a family system, by bringing to light hidden dynamics and providing a safe space for individuals to express their feelings and needs.
Greater empathy and understanding: By exploring the juxtaposed experiences and perspectives of other family members, you can develop greater empathy and understanding for others, leading to deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Trans-generational healing: By addressing issues and patterns that may have been passed down through generations, Family Constellation Therapy can bring healing not only to you but also to future generations of your family.
As Hellinger has noted, the process of Family Constellations can be difficult and emotional, as we confront painful truths and hidden dynamics within our family systems. However, he believes that this process is essential for true healing to occur. By facing and integrating these hidden dynamics, we can find a deeper sense of being wholesome and belonging and can begin to live more fully and authentically.
In conclusion, with its unique approach to healing and growth, Family Constellations recognizes the integration of our family system and the impact it has on our lives, and seeks to restore balance and harmony to this structure. By uncovering and addressing hidden dynamics and emotional entanglements, we can learn to truly know ourselves and our behavior patterns in relationship settings, and find tranquility and transformation.
It is, after all, the therapy of the soul, offering us access to the deeper levels of consciousness, subconsciousness, and the wisdom and insight of the collective unconscious.
Are you ready to dive into the fascinating layers of your family system?
Book your online session today!