Systemic Constellations is an approach that is used in a wide variety of contexts, not just family issues.

Family Constellations, in turn, represent a specific branch of the approach, often associated with the work of its founder, Bert Hellinger.

Video: What’s “Systemic” in Family Constellations

Both Systemic and Family constellations use bodily sensations and reactions as navigational tools. This serves an educational function: bodily states help us navigate a problematic situation or context.

The goal is for the client to learn a somatic solution to the context that is seen as problematic.

Publication by the order of psychologists of Quebec

In January 2026 the Order of Psychologists of Quebec classified Family Constellations as a kind of psychotherapy. In the same document the organization has named the practice inappropriate for the members of the order (all practicing psychotherapists in Quebec are required to be members of the order by law).

You can read the document here (in French)

The document has raised a lot of questions as it is formulated in a specific way. It may be seen as a restrictive demarche targeting the whole practice and all sorts of Constellations in the province.

An analysis of the above document made by a lawyer, Sylvie Lefebvre (Facebook, in French).

Common observations of the document

The article published by the Order of Psychologists says nothing about Systemic Constellations, as it is focused on Family Constellations.

With regard to the evaluation of Family Constellations done by those who are not members of the order, the article calls for a careful analysis of each case. This implies, obviously, that it is still possible to legally carry out this practice in the province of Quebec.

My practice of Systemic and Family Constellations

I consider it important to outline some of the features of the approach I use:

• Systemic constellations are a supportive practice. It helps to reconsider one’s perspective on a given problem, situation, or life circumstance. Constellations rely on bodily signals and the ability to notice them, drawing on subtle sensations and experiences in a specific moment. These sensations are of a physical, somatic nature.
• The practice of constellations is related to somatic approaches and produces similar results: solutions come not only at the level of consciousness but also through the experience of one’s own body.
• Unlike psychotherapy, constellations are not aimed at correcting mental health conditions and disorders.
• The practice of systemic constellations promotes personal development, the integration of mind and body, and liberation from habitual and stereotypical ways of perceiving situations.
• Constellations help one achieve a state of harmony and better understand oneself.
• Constellations facilitate education about the systemic principles by which we interact with other people and groups, and by which groups and other people interact with each other.
• Unlike psychotherapeutic work of any approach, constellation allows us to explore the relationships between theoretical concepts and the qualities of groups and teams in business (even those we do not belong to), or to help us choose the best decision among several options. All this is achieved through sensations at the level of the body.
• Through constellations, we better understand the patterns and the need for openness, compassion, and acceptance in our interactions with others.
• Family constellations are a subtype of systemic constellations. They are also included in the palette of tools used in individual sessions and groups.

Important

Systemic constellations are not suitable for working with people in states of psychological distress, regardless of their cause.

Despite a number of scientific publications indicating the effectiveness of this approach, some aspects of how constellations work remain unexplained.

Book a Systemic or Family Constellation

Write to me directly

The post Systemic Constellations & Family Constellations. Legal Aspects in Quebec appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Topics:

• Ancestors and their place in our relationship with money.
• Where can I find resources and strength?
• Overcoming embarrassment at taking what I deserve
• Money and creativity. How can something I enjoy become a good source of income, among other things?
• My mission and my income. Life purpose and abundance. What relationship do they have with me, and what do I need to balance them?

An important component: this workshop can help you discover a universal way to find the right price for almost any deal or exchange.

Structure of the Workshop

Exercises and practices will be conducted primarily in small groups. We will have short breaks and a longer break, large enough for a cup of tea and a snack.

Language

The event will be facilitated in English, on Zoom.

Date and Time

Sunday March 22

12pm–4.30pm Eastern time (Montreal, New York)

9am–1.30pm Pacific time (Vancouver)

17.00–21.30 CET (Amsterdam, Paris, Rome)

Pricing

CA$45 (tx incl) or US$35 early bird

CA$55 (tx incl) or US$45 On or after March 16th, 2026

Accepted types of payment:

e-transfer

For cash or cheque payments please contact me in advance.

Write to me directly:

The post The Money Workshop appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Dates & Venues

November 17, Monday

5.30pm-9.30pm

Infirmiére Coach de Sante

7664 Rue St-Hubert

Montréal, QC H2R 2N6

December 8, Monday

5.30pm-9.30pm

Surya Montreal

903 Rue Saint-Zotique East

Montreal, QC H2S 1M9

Concept

The concept of these groups has slightly changed comparing to the sessions that took place earlier.

All participants pay the same amount. We no longer separate client and representative/observer fees. Those wishing to receive a Constellation state their intention at the beginning of the meeting. If there are many people interested to be clients, the sequence of Constellations is determined by lottery.

Read more about Family Constellations in Groups

The post Family Constellations Groups in November & December appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Family – the original focus of the method

Initially Family Constellations were only applied to the family context, as the name of the method itself suggests. No ancestors or other figures (e.g. nations, countries, women of the lineage, men who survived an event etc.) were involved in the method as it was presented originally.

Same dynamics are present in other systems

It was discovered later that processes and dynamics that are seen in families are just as present in other systems. Such as: organizations, professional groups, or larger structures – communities, gender figures. Also, the ancestral field was introduced into the Family Constellation method.

The view expanded to include larger systems. Today, Constellations are done on subjects like decision making, or for example, inner personality parts. Beautiful works and deep insights are often achieved when the Constellations method is applied to social systems or businesses and organizations.

With this in mind, it’s more relevant to use the term “Systemic”. Talking about Constellations, we no longer speak only about the family context.

More about the development of the method

To know more about the evolution of the conceptual views of Bert Hellinger himself and the method of Family Constellations: an article by Wilfried Nelles on the website of ISCA, International Systemic Constellations Association: Classical Family Constellations, Movements of the Soul, Movements of the “SpiritMind”: Where is Constellation Work Heading to?

Read more: Systemic and Family Constellations

Individual (One-on-one) Constellations Online

The post What’s “Systemic” in Family Constellations? appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Our visual perception is busy staring at screens

We communicate through a screen, surf the Internet, read texts, and watch broadcasts for a variety of purposes. Devices that display visual information are at the center of the field of perception for many. We are so involved in the context that we often fail to notice that much of what is so important to us would be inaccessible without the intense work of our visual perception.

Eyes get tired.

Enhance the quality of presence using this simple practice

This practice will help keep resources available, restore the state of your vision, and relieve feelings of increased tension. If performed regularly throughout the day, the practice will enhance the quality of presence in daily activities.

Note: The immediate effect may be a decrease in visual acuity: as the eye muscles relax, vision may become more blurred. Some time after the practice is completed, visual acuity will fully recover.

More practice: Stress Relief. Working With Head and Face

The post Eyes Fatigue: Return To Clarity appeared first on Denis Petrov.

This event that took place in the past

Fearing Yet Longing For Change

We usually don’t prepare ourselves to changes the same way as pilots when they are to begin operating a new aircraft type. Life events may take us by surprise, and even when we see the emerging changes, it is not guaranteed that we can arrange the situation in the way that will ensure our wellbeing. 

Sometimes we act as if nothing happened, trying to ignore the news. Or we become enemies of the new, trying to silence anyone or anything telling us about the upcoming changes. We find comfort in the strategies of our parents, grandparents, our family. We build defence lines instead of using the new circumstances for our own benefit. 

The event will give participants the opportunity to explore their strategies and decisions or lack of thereof using tools and practices of Family Constellations and Systemic Ritual. The shadows of our parents’ choices, family secrets standing behind certain avoidances and preferences, all of it will be possible to meet, accommodate and understand better.

Potential Results

Participants will use the structure of the workshop to process, widen the perception of their own situations, using it to address their concerns or doubts. They will implement the practices to see the resources that are hidden, choose an optimal strategy, locate what is their best place in their own “transitions” – contexts where they are to be dealing with the new.

For Whom Is This Workshop?

This work does not require special skills. We all can potentially find interest in improving our inner compass when dealing with the unexpected.

Language of the workshop: English.

Date and Time:

Saturday 21 June 2025. 1pm – 5pm 

Venue:

Centre des Musiciens du Monde, studio 201
5043, rue Saint-Dominique,
Montreal, Quebec  H2T 1V1

Special Offer

Participants of previous group events and workshops facilitated by Denis Petrov, online or in-person, will have a 20CA$ discount both to the early and regular price.

E.g. if you participated in an earlier workshop or an online program, your early bird price for this event is CA$160, and regular price is CA$180 (tax included)

Pricing:  180CA$ early bird, 200CA$ on and after June 9th, All prices with tax included

Payment can be done in parts. The deposit of 25 Dollars can be paid in advance to secure the spot. Deadline for full payment – 3 days prior to the event.

Cancellation Policy

If you won’t be able to attend please inform us as early as possible. We will return the amount you paid except the deposit (25CA$).

Contact us: +1 (825) 437-3931, administrator@denispetrov.info 

Information About Future Events

The post Transitions: In Person Workshop appeared first on Denis Petrov.

When the state of our nervous system is a bit elevated, we act with less flexibility. The scope of available options narrows. This exercise helps to fully return into the body with a short guided meditation. Somatic component, particular hands placement during the process, will release excessive tensions and bring back bodily sensations that often fade during stress.

Gradual return to calm, relaxed state will help to feel the body. It will also increase awareness and widen up the capacity to act from a more grounded, realistic inner disposition.

Please refrain from practicing if you feel weakened or unwell. Choose rest instead.

More practices: Full Body Tapping

The post Body Oriented Meditation. Hands on the Chest appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Healing comes from different sources in trauma treatment and spirituality. 

In spirituality, the practice focuses on connecting with something outside of us. Whether it is a divine presence or grace, the spirit of a prophet or the wisdom of ancestors. Trauma healing, in turn, focuses on the healing and integration that is happening within the client. 

Many modern approaches, such as for example Richard Schwartz’ Internal Family Systems or Identity Oriented Psychotrauma Therapy of Franz Ruppert, describe traumatic split through the emergence of certain parts of personality. IFS names them as Managers and Firefighters. IOPT calls them Survival Strategies. These personality parts can be extremely functional in the context of survival. However, they may not be as useful in maintaining a normal life in a safe environment. Traumatized individual often feels trapped between these survival parts. Whether it is the inner voice that constantly criticizes or demeans, or their sub-products such as self-hatred or low self-esteem. 

It is for this reason that discipline-based approaches, even with a strong spiritual foundation, may not be helpful when applied in the context of trauma. Imposition of certain rules or strict requirements reinforces survival-related personality structures. Precisely the structures from which these rules are supposed to help release. Providing choices can help healing more than the constant imposition of a particular practice structure.

More about the principles and structure of continuous work.

The post Spirituality & Trauma Healing. Discipline or Choice? appeared first on Denis Petrov.

Proprioceptive signals that our nervous system sends from our skin, muscles and internal organs to our brain allow us to notice what happens to the body. When we are highly agitated or anxious, we literally stop feeling it. The exercise will help to return to a state of presence, calm the mind and somewhat pacify excessive emotionality. It will allow to physically feel the boundaries of the body and facilitate return to a normal sense of self.

Many people have certain issues with maintaining healthy boundaries nowadays. If done regularly this practice can help restore a more balanced present state, reduce the intensity of bodily impulses and reactions.

Recommendation: exercise everyday in the morning before entering into the daily routine. The effects will gradually increase after approximately 10-14 days of regular practice. Add more practice during the periods of acute stress or other situations when the feeling of center is lost or when feeling less grounded than usually.

Please refrain from practicing if you feel weakened or unwell. Choose rest instead.

More practices: Working With Head and Face

The post Restoring Presence. Full Body Tapping appeared first on Denis Petrov.

We use face to maintain or avoid contact with others. When we are in a fight/flight or freeze state, our capacity to engage in meaningful communication, to comfortably accept the presence of others reduces significantly. By working with head and face we improve the sense of presence and feel more grounded, we facilitate the connection with ourselves and the outside world, as well as other people.

Recommendation: Practice once or twice a day for 10-15 days to make the body remember the process. After this period of learning the practice can be especially effective if used to cope with excessive activation or moments of distress. Practicing when you feel relatively well will help develop the positive feedback loop that facilitates the much needed change in the moments when you feel out of balance.

Please refrain from practicing if you feel unwell. Choose rest instead.

Read more: What’s Grounding?

The post Stress Relief. Working With Head and Face appeared first on Denis Petrov.