Systemic constellations are an effective tool that can help individuals and groups better understand the dynamics within a system, such as a family, organisation, or community. As facilitators, it’s important to have a deep understanding of this approach and how to facilitate systemic constellations to help our clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
In the case of systemic constellations, facilitation involves guiding the client through the process of representing the elements or individuals in the system and exploring the dynamics and relationships between them. This type of facilitation can be particularly useful in identifying and resolving issues within systems that have been resistant to change.
There are two examples of systemic constellations that facilitators can use in their work: cappuccino constellations and structural constellations.
Cappuccino Constellations
Cappuccino constellations involve using cups of cappuccino to represent people within the system. The foam on top of the cappuccino represents the unconscious or spiritual realm, while the coffee beneath represents the conscious or physical realm. This approach can be useful for clients who have a strong connection to coffee culture or for clients who are visual learners.
To facilitate a cappuccino constellation, the facilitator will start by asking the client to choose cups to represent the people in their system. Then, the facilitator will guide the client through placing the cups on a table in a way that reflects the relationships and dynamics within the system. As the facilitator observes the constellation, they might notice patterns or dynamics that were previously hidden. For example, they might see a cup positioned further away from the others, indicating a sense of disconnection or distance in that relationship.
From there, the facilitator can ask the client to make adjustments to the constellation, like moving cups closer together or further apart, to see how that affects the dynamics within the system. This helps the client gain a deeper understanding of the underlying patterns and dynamics within their system and start to figure out how to address any issues or challenges that may be present.
Structural Constellations
Structural constellations involve using people or objects to represent individuals or elements within a system. The idea here is that individuals within a system are interconnected, and the structure of the system can have a significant impact on the dynamics within it. This approach can be useful for clients who prefer a more literal representation of the elements in their system.
To facilitate a structural constellation, the facilitator will ask the client to choose people or objects to represent individuals or elements within their system. Then, they will guide the client through positioning these people or objects within a space, reflecting the relationships and dynamics within the system. As the facilitator observes the constellation, they might notice patterns or dynamics that were previously hidden.
The facilitator can then ask the client to make adjustments to the constellation, like moving people or objects closer together or further apart, to see how that affects the dynamics within the system. Through this process, the client can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying patterns and dynamics within their system and start to figure out how to address any issues or challenges that may be present.
When facilitating systemic constellations, it’s important to create a safe and supportive space for the client to explore the dynamics within their system. This means being non-judgmental and creating an environment where the client feels comfortable exploring their issues. The facilitator should also be skilled in guiding the client through the process and providing emotional support and guidance throughout.
It’s also important to remember that facilitators are not there to fix things for the client. Rather, they are there to guide the client through a process that can help them gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics within their system and start to figure out how to make things better.
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