Healing Family Patterns - Working with Human Systems

This is an experiential workshop in which everyone will participate, in some way, in every constellation. The day will include a guided meditation, discussion, and teaching, as well as about 5 or 6 constellations. Those who feel ready to do a piece of work will be invited to raise their hand. At lunchtime we will see how many people still wish to do their own constellation and if there are more than we have times for then names will be put into a hat and ‘issue holders’ selected randomly. So, please be clear that the opportunity to present your own issue is not guaranteed.

However, this process is deeply moving and everyone present will, in one way or another, have a powerful and illuminating experience. Whether you have brought the issue, participated as a representative, or held the space for the work in the outer circle. Constellation Work offers profound insight and new understanding for everyone in the group. We will of course reflect on each piece of work and our learning together.

This ‘Field-based’ approach to selecting the issue holders is the original way of holding a workshop. Later, in the late 1990s, it became fashionable to monetarise the issue holder place, which created a two-tier fee structure, and hierarchical levels of involvement. I have worked with both structures but have returned to the original way of working now because I prefer it when we meet as equals and trust the Field to provide what we, as a group, collectively need. In this way we respect the spirit of the work, even though some individuals may feel disappointed not to have been selected.

In my 30 years of involvement with Constellation Work, the two most impactful and personally life-changing constellations that I have done were both when I was a representative, not the issue holder. I will speak more about this at the workshop.

Venue

Violet Hill Studios, Centre for Healing, 6 Violet Hill, Londn, NW8 9EB.

Refreshments & Lunch

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided for our morning and afternoon breaks. There will be a lunch break of about an hour at around 1pm – it is difficult to give a precise time. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby which cater for different dietary requirements.

Participants

The group will be kept to a maximum of 25 people. This may well include several constellation students who attend as representatives only. They come to support the group as part of their own constellation training.

Cancellation Policy

- Cancellation with more than one month’s notice – full refund given

- Cancellation made within 2 – 4 weeks of the workshop – half the fee is refunded

- Cancellations made with less than 2 weeks’ notice – no refund given

The Facilitator

Gaye Donaldson is a Systemic Constellations Practitioner with 30 years of experience of the work. She has training extensively in both family and organisational work in the UK and abroad.

Gaye is the Strategic Director of the Centre for Systemic Constellations, the UK’s first Constellation School, established in 2000 (www.thecsc.net). She is also a member of the senior teaching faculty, offering core training, masterclasses and supervision to student Constellators.

Gaye offers systemic consultancy in organisations, and also works with the constellation approach in all aspects of film and theatre production. Having been an organic farmer for many years, Gaye works with land-based Constellations. For a number of years she was part of ‘Healing the Wounds of History’- an organisation that brings new perspectives to conflict resolution in the Middle East.

Gaye is a mother to five grown up children, and grandmother to three little ones. She lives in Bruton, Somerset, with her small herd of Icelandic horses.

The Workshop

Systemic Constellation Work is a solution-focused approach that enables us to explore complex, and sometimes seemingly intractable personal issues. These issues may arise from difficulties with family, relationships, health issues, career, or existential and spiritual difficulties. At the workshop we will explore how key events and traumas in our lives (which often include events from previous generations) influence us and may even have led to ‘entanglements’ or ‘hidden loyalties’ that unconsciously affect us in our life today.

Participation

There are different ways to participate in the workshops. As a witness, as a representative, and as an issue holder. Through representing in and witnessing other people’s constellations we participate in our own personal work, as well as developing systemic insight and understanding. Those who wish to explore an issue in their lives are invited to offer their issue to the constellator on the day. Their willingness to bring their own personal family issues enables the whole group to engage with their personal work and learning.

What is a constellation?
A constellation begins with a conversation in which the ‘issue holder’ describes a difficulty or issue is affecting their life. The issue holder is then asked to select group members to ‘represent’ elements of the system under consideration. Aspects represented are typically known individuals, but may also include groups, organisations, countries, or abstract concepts.

These ‘representatives’ are asked to stand in a configuration called a Constellation which is form of ‘living map’ of the system under consideration. The facilitator gathers information that both contributes to a fuller understanding of the present difficulty, and also supports movements towards resolution. By creating a constellation of an issue we can begin to see what is stuck or blocking the solution that brings peace, and new possibilities for the whole system emerge.

The ‘system’ in question may of course be our family system, our relationships, our working environment, or our own health and wellbeing. The constellation approach can be used to explore any issue. There will be space to look at 5 or 6 issues during the day. As a result, please note that the opportunity to present your own issue is not guaranteed during the day.

Constellation work can be profound and deeply affecting. Please come prepared to participate in a spirit of openness and generosity.

If you would like further information about the constellation process, please go to www.kindredconstellations.com.