East Sussex Family and Systemic Constellations - monthly drop-in group

This is an opportunity to experience constellations work. Whether you are curious about constellations or have previous knowledge, this group provides a safe space to explore, together.

Monthly in-person drop-in group

Second Tuesday of the month

Time: 19:00:00 GMT+0100 (British Summer Time)

Location: Common Lane, Laughton, BN8 6BY

Constellations are known as an effective process for providing a lens through which we can attend to our family and other personal relationships. Structural Systemic Constellations (Syst ®) extend the classic family constellation approach, incorporating new methods.

This is an exciting and fresh approach to exploring and working with a broad range of relationship and 'life' issues, including professional or organisational issues, illness or physical symptoms, struggling to say 'no', self image, lack of fulfillment, discontentment, to name but a few.

Constellations complement well other exploration and personal development (personal reflection, conversation, therapy, coaching). What unfolds in a single session is often freeing, sometimes surprising, often moving.

The focus of constellations is on the individual in the context of their 'system'. Much like in the solar system there are a myriad of different interconnected elements and forces at play for each of us within our very own and unique system. Through constellations, significant events that have impacted on the system and its web of relationships can be explored. Underlying and sometimes unseen dynamics operating within the individual's system can become apparent. Then, with greater clarity of the system and its forces, work towards resolving entanglements and blockages within the system is undertaken. Positive change often follows.

“I feel more at ease, connected to self. I feel a gentleness around me. Something has most definitely shifted for me. Deep gratitude for your insight and understanding.” (Issue-holder)

What you may want to bring to constellations work:-

• Wishing for healthier relationships with a partner or family members
• Searching for clearer separation and disentanglement from significant people
• Confidence in self and the ability and clarity to step forward with important decisions
• Wanting to find peace with past difficult experiences, letting go
• Seeking reconciliation with significant people
• Wanting to move beyond what holds you back, beyond blockages

In more detail – how constellations work

The constellations process examines the connections between different elements of a system. These can be people, important events, beliefs, family mottos or themes such as 'sickness' or 'failure'. Anything of significance within the system.

The client (issue-holder) is supported to create a spacial representation of the different elements in their system. Group participants are chosen as representatives for the different elements. The opportunity for clients to observe and experience this spacial representation of their system generates valuable perspectives; further information is elicited as each representative feeds back the experience of their position.

The phenomenon of the representatives' experiencing in their positions is indeed a strange one. There is no scientific explanation for this but the accuracy of the representatives' feedback from their positions within the system is often astounding. Through this process it can become possible to locate the origins of difficulties, unfinished business and matters which require attention. Some issues within the system can relate to past events which still have ramifications now. This too can be explored.

Through a variety of facilitated symbolic processes steps towards a better functioning system are taken, including separation from entanglement and handing back of burden and responsibility. From a more autonomous position healthier engagement with the elements of the system can follow.

The impact on the client is usually freeing, with issues more resolved and clients feeling lighter.

Sometimes when a situation is stuck, issues may not move towards immediate resolution. However, even then this can be experienced as liberating. The act of observing stuckness in this way in itself can create movement.

Participating in a constellation as a representative and / or observer

Constellations need issue-holders and they need representatives. Participating is this way is not only an opportunity for serving others. Each time there is also an opportunity for personal learning, for insight and an experience of shared humanity. Participants often comment on how rewarding the experience is.

The same goes for observers. Depending on the size of the group some participants will be observers in the holding and witnessing circle. Just as important and equally rewarding.

It is possible to attend a constellation group as a one-off session. Many make it a regular practice.

“I have found participating in constellations deeply rewarding and rich. What a gift to be able to join others in their exploration and experiencing. Thank you for your skilled facilitation.” (Participant)

Affordable and accessible for all

The intention is for these sessions to be affordable and accessible for all. P lease note the nominal booking fee for this event via Eventbrite. This mostly covers hire of the group room. There will be an opportunity to contribute with a cash donation on the day if this feels right for you. Any such generosity will be accepted with gratitude.

Please read the following advisory information before booking

A prerequisite for constellations is robust mental and physical health. Constellations are an invitation to participate in a potentially transformative process which can be intense, unfamiliar and challenging whilst of course held in a supportive space.

The invitation and expectation is that you take responsibility for yourself and your needs, how you are participating and 'owning' your experience. If the above description of constellations sounds potentially overwhelming for you or if you have significant emotional challenges that you feel may be exacerbated by this kind of process, then I advise not to enroll.

Constellations are not psychotherapy or counselling and cannot replace these. It can be helpful to support psychotherapy or counselling with parallel constellations and I would advise to discuss this with your therapist/counsellor.

By booking you declare you understand the above and are taking full responsibility for your own thinking, feeling and actions.