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Writer's pictureRitshi ZENATI

Family Constellations in Love, Career, and health: 3 transformative cases (Part 1)

The family system is not merely a structure of individuals but a living, dynamic force that influences us far beyond our conscious awareness. Often, the challenges we face in life—whether in relationships, health, or career—are not solely the result of our personal experiences, but are deeply rooted in unresolved traumas, conflicts, and loyalties passed down from previous generations. Family Constellations offer a profound and effective way to identify and heal these hidden dynamics, allowing for transformation across generations.


In this article, I will present three practical cases that demonstrate how Family Constellations bring resolution to deeply ingrained issues. These cases reflect the underlying principles that govern family systems and show how healing occurs when these forces are acknowledged and brought into balance.


Case 1: Resolving Marital Discord Rooted in Ancestral Guilt


Situation: Maria and John sought help for recurring, intense conflicts in their marriage. Despite their best efforts, they found themselves trapped in a cycle of arguments and emotional disconnection. Therapy and communication exercises had not brought lasting relief, and both were on the verge of separation.



Constellation Session: In a group session, representatives were chosen to stand in for Maria and John, as well as for key members of their families. When the representatives were placed in the space, a hidden dynamic became immediately apparent. Maria's representative expressed feelings of deep sadness and guilt, emotions she could not fully explain. John's representative, meanwhile, expressed anger, not directed at Maria but at a shadowed figure behind her.


Healing Process: As the constellation unfolded, it was revealed that Maria's family had a history of guilt related to an ancestor who had been unjustly excluded from the family due to shame. This exclusion had created an energetic imbalance, and Maria had unconsciously carried the burden of this guilt into her marriage. John's anger was directed not at Maria herself but at this unresolved guilt, which kept the couple entangled in a cycle of conflict.

Through the constellation, the forgotten ancestor was acknowledged and re-integrated into the family system. Maria's sense of guilt lifted as the hidden dynamic was brought to light. John’s anger subsided once the true source of the tension was revealed. After this session, the couple reported a marked improvement in their relationship. The deep love they felt for each other was no longer blocked by unconscious forces.


Case 2: Chronic Health Issues as a Manifestation of Family Trauma


Situation: David had been suffering from chronic back pain for years. Medical treatments and therapies offered only temporary relief, and doctors could not identify a clear physical cause. He had begun to suspect that his pain might have deeper roots beyond the physical.



Constellation Session: During his Family Constellation session, representatives were chosen to stand in for David, his health condition, and significant members of his family. As the session progressed, the representative for David’s back pain began to express emotions of heaviness and burden. Another representative, placed in the role of David’s deceased grandfather, displayed similar feelings of burden and regret.


Healing Process: It was uncovered that David’s chronic back pain was energetically linked to a traumatic event involving his grandfather, who had been a soldier and had carried unspoken guilt and pain from the war. The family had never openly discussed this, and the unresolved trauma had been passed down unconsciously to David.

By acknowledging the grandfather's suffering and allowing him to symbolically release his burden, David's representative felt a significant shift. The heavy energy dissipated, and David himself reported a noticeable improvement in his back pain shortly after the session. In the following months, his pain decreased dramatically, as he continued to work with the insights revealed during the constellation.


Case 3: Career Stagnation Linked to Family Loyalty

Situation: Emma was a highly capable professional, yet despite her skills and efforts, she experienced repeated failures and frustrations in her career. She felt blocked, unable to advance or find satisfaction in her work, no matter how much she tried to change her approach.



Constellation Session: In her Family Constellation session, representatives were selected to stand in for Emma, her career, and key family members. As the constellation was set, one representative, placed for Emma’s mother, expressed deep grief and unfulfilled potential. Another representative, for Emma’s career, seemed distant and disengaged.


Healing Process: Through the constellation, it became clear that Emma’s mother had sacrificed her own professional aspirations to take care of her family. Unconsciously, Emma had taken on her mother’s unfulfilled dreams and loyalties. This family loyalty was preventing Emma from surpassing her mother’s achievements, as doing so would have felt like a betrayal of her mother’s sacrifice.

Once this dynamic was brought to the surface, Emma was able to symbolically release the burden of her mother’s unfulfilled career. With this release, her representative was able to reconnect with her career, and a newfound sense of possibility and freedom emerged. In the months following the session, Emma reported breakthroughs in her professional life, including new opportunities and a renewed sense of purpose.


The Path to Healing

In these three cases, the hidden forces affecting relationships, health, and career were all revealed through the process of Family Constellations. At the core of this method lies the understanding that unresolved family dynamics are not only personal but also transgenerational. The energy of guilt, trauma, and loyalty flows through family systems, and unless these forces are acknowledged and integrated, they will continue to affect individuals in ways that often seem incomprehensible at a conscious level.


Healing in Family Constellations occurs when:

  1. The hidden dynamics are brought to light.

  2. Unspoken truths are acknowledged and accepted.

  3. Excluded family members or events are re-integrated into the system.

  4. The natural order and balance within the family are restored.


This process allows the individual, and often their entire family system, to experience a profound release and healing. The heavy burdens of the past are lightened, freeing individuals to live their lives more fully, free from the unconscious entanglements of previous generations.


Conclusion

Family Constellations offer a powerful tool for resolving deeply rooted issues that impact every aspect of our lives. By tapping into the unconscious dynamics of family systems, this method reveals the hidden forces that shape our experiences and provides a path to deep healing. Through this work, we are not only healing ourselves but also our ancestors and future generations.


By Ritshi Zenati, Coach at Holistika Center


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