PSYCHOLOGICAL FAILURE WITH PATIENTS IN A STATE OF PSYCHOTRAUMA: FAMILY CONSTALKING ACCORDING TO HELLINGER

Abstract

The method of family constellations was developed in the 90s by the former missionary Bert Hellinger and combined some elements of well-established family therapy. The leading questions of this article, formulated mainly from the ideas set out in Hellinger's works, are the following: what is the method of constellations today, what risks for patients actually exist and what should be the attitude of scientific psychotherapy to the method of constellations? The dynamics of the method and the risks associated with it are illustrated using examples from Hellinger's works. Cases of trauma are recorded. Actions for introducing the technique of constellations into professional circulation are considered. Conclusion: the method of constellations has high risks for all patients with serious psychological problems, especially for patients with psychological trauma. An additional problem is that it is difficult to assume whether a constellation specialist uses the dangerous elements practiced by Hellinger or not. So, if a psychotherapist who adheres to a scientific paradigm wants to integrate some elements of constellation techniques, then it is necessary to find a new term, not loaded with “Helenghian” connotations, and think over a way to protect against retraumatization.