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

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Works done during a group session will be chosen among those participants who will ask about it and according to resonance. The workshop facilitator will do the best to accommodate every request voiced during the group. Although it has to be assumed that due to the nature and severity of cases presented some works will require and be given more time and attention than others.

Registration to an Individual Constellation Session (one-on-one 2h30min) can be a solution for those who feel they need to work on an issue that is beyond the capacity of this resonance-based structure of Family Systemic Constellations in group.

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Many of us find it difficult to balance productivity, success, and having good life overall. The huge amount of burnout cases in North America indicates some deficit in the area of harmony and balance in a number of people. 

Events that we label as negative and try to avoid often come from a lack of inner resources. Conflicts, arguments, attempts to resolve by force what can be alleviated through reasonable compromise – much of this would not happen at all if we felt fully resourced. A lack of internal resources makes us less flexible, more susceptible to outside influences, our actions and decisions happen to become more stereotypical and, in some cases, automatic.

We need good access to inner resources if we want to live our lives, to be conscious and responsible in our decisions, and to be able to feel empathy and love – for ourselves and for others.

For Whom is This Event

This program is suitable for almost anyone. It will help participants to understand the causes of excessive fatigue or emotional instability, provide practical tools for balancing inner states in various contexts: from ordinary day-to-day circumstances to difficult and extreme situations. Participation in the program will give the opportunity to organize professional and personal tasks more consciously, and perhaps even help to rethink various aspects of life. After all, not only the professional environment but also personal relationships and family is also a space where we lose, spend, and find, replenish resources. The program provides keys to difficult circumstances and helps to manage aspects of our states, so that challenges can be overcome with confidence and in a conscious way.

Eight Weeks of the Program

What the Program Includes

Weekly meetings include elements of theory and practice. 

Each of the 8 meetings is aimed at in-depth study of a specific topic. 

Participants will be able to “take away with them” a set of practical skills for working with resource states.

Potential Results

• Understanding your own strengths
• Greater presence in the body
• Better capacity for emotional containment
• Deeper interpersonal connections
• New ways of handling sensitive situations
• Energy management and understanding of limitations in everyday situations: at work, at home, in relationships
• A shift to more effective ways of self-regulation and enhanced ability to manage difficult circumstances

We often have difficulty putting into words what is going on with our internal resources. The program helps to shape the language so necessary for this purpose.

History

The first internal resources management program was created and delivered by me in 2016. Up until 2020 multiple groups took place in different languages, several long-term online programs were organized, as well as a number of in-person events. Some programs involved working with professionals: middle and senior managers in the fields of banking, energy, education, petrochemical industry and transport in Russia, others were open for everyone. There were also specialized workshops on internal resources management, such as a workshop for teachers and educators in Bogota, Colombia.

Between 2021 and 2024, I was mainly engaged in the individual practice, and did not conduct internal resource management programs. 

The current program, in addition to the materials from previous years, incorporates what has been developed by me over the period focused on individual therapeutic work, including aspects related to trauma and its impact on internal resources and our capacity to manage them.

Format of Work

Online, once a week. Meetings length: 1h 40min

Every Wednesday 7pm-8.40pm Eastern Time

Dates:

January 29,

February 5, 12, 19, 26,

March 5, 12, 19.

Meetings recordings will be available for participants during the program and for a limited amount of time after the program.

Pricing

Participation in the complete program can be paid in full or divided into 2 parts.

Means of payment:  e-transfer, PayPal or Wise

PayPal payments

The service charges commission on every transfer, which affects the price. 

PayPal price: Full Payment: CA$260 or US$198; Payment in 2 installments: CA$146 or US$110 each, Participation in the first meeting only: CA$26 or US$21

Contact us:

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Upcoming
Group Events

The Money Workshop

Sunday March 22

12pm–4.30pm (Montreal, New York)
9am–1.30pm (Vancouver)
17.00–21.30 (Amsterdam, Paris, Rome)


Location:
Online

Click to see the event page

Over the past few years, individual works dominated in my Family and Systemic Constellations practice. Meanwhile, I have been asked about group sessions perhaps more often than anything else. The thematic workshops done in 2024 have led me to think that it might be worthwhile to resume doing Constellations in groups.

So, I have decided to continue the group sessions.

About the Method

Family and Systemic Constellations focus on finding sources to a variety of specific problems and difficulties. From health issues to business needs or situations occurring in relationships.

In the core concept of Family Constellations lies the idea that some of the problems manifesting themselves today may be rooted in past events of an individual’s biography, or the biography of a family or group (culture, country). Sessions help to highlight the possible source and often to begin to move towards resolving situations caused by what may have taken place years or decades ago.

Bert Hellinger, the author of the approach, often used the expression of “the flow of love” between generations within one system, e.g. in a family. In Constellations we are looking for areas or elements affected both on personal and systemic levels. We try to find a step that will constitute the necessary movement. To alleviate a problematic situation or a pattern in the system and in a Client’s life.

The approach was originally proposed as a group method. It is in a group that many of its strengths emerge.

It is possible to join the event as a client or as a group participant

Participation as a Client

Client is the one for whom the Constellation work is done. Facilitator manages the group session in a way that the issue that the Client has brought as a request for work moves towards some new state: sometimes a solution, sometimes a change, sometimes a new perspective.

Price: CA$235 (tx incl)

Participation as a Group Member: a Representative or an Observer

Those who join the group can be invited to represent a certain figure that is a part of the whole picture seen in a Constellation being done for a client. Being a respectful observer is the second option.

Many participants have noticed that a Constellation session can unfold as an in-depth emotional experience for them as well, even if a session is facilitated in response to someone else’s request. Those who represent or even observe the Constellation often leave the room after the session with a set of insights, or a feeling of an inner change.

Price: CA$40 (tx incl)– early registration, includes 10CA$ security deposit

CA$50 (tx incl) – late registration less than 3 days prior to the meeting or at the door

Language 

Group workshops will be facilitated in English

Contact us:

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that happened in the past

Date and Time:

Saturday 12 Oct 2024. 11.30am – 4.45pm 

Venue:

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

Pricing:

• 175CAD early bird,
• 200CAD after Sept 27th Oct 1st,
• 215CAD on the day of the event. 

To secure the price you can pay in parts – the non-returnable deposit of 25CA$ (included in total price) is the minimum that has to be paid to secure the actual price and your spot.

Do I need to actually be in a relationship to join? Do I necessarily have to work on my actual relationship?

During the workshop, you can focus on any specific and meaningful relationship, or even different ones. Whether it’s family, romantic relationships, work partnerships, or relationships with people you spend your leisure time with. The work can also focus on healing wounds from past relationships or building future ones.

Will it be necessary to disclose any details about myself?

What to tell about yourself and your situation is a matter of choice for each participant. Systemic and Family Constellations allow us to work with the problem even blindly, when only general points or almost nothing at all is mentioned. Meanwhile, it often seems right to voice the problem at least in general terms and give the other participants an opportunity to be more emotionally involved. It is up to the individual to decide what to say and what not to say.

What kind of environment does the workshop offer?

To work with sensitive topics we need to approach the tasks with compassion, presence and in a state of acceptance. A certain quality of space that allows the processes of the participants to unfold. 

Do we talk or do we actually practice during the workshop?

Constellations involve working with space and inner change. Dialogues and discussions are of a subordinate nature, and may help to understand what is happening, to clarify specific impressions or perceptions, but do not constitute the essence of the work.

Who can benefit?

Anyone who interacts with others can benefit from participating in the workshop.

Is this work transformative?

Systemic and Family Constellations can definitely change how we experience our relationships.

I have a problematic relationship pattern that repeats in almost any romantic relationship that I start. Is it possible to address it?

The workshop will likely help you see this pattern from a different angle, and maybe prepare a soil for change that may create shifts even if you bring somewhat stubborn, repetitive case. However, please don’t expect a miracle: this work provides environment and tools, whether we accept the new or stick to the old ways, depends on us. 

Are there requirements to join?

We will ask you to write to us in case you are feeling unstable. This is not necessarily a firm ’no’ to participation, but we, the workshop team, would rather discuss it with you in advance.  Overall, the workshop is built in a manner that is friendly and compassionate, but as we all know, in an unstable state even a minor contact with a triggering context can cause a strong reaction. 

My French is better than English. Can I participate?

The workshop will be facilitated in English. If your preferred language is French, you can still join and we will do our best to accommodate your needs: in group exercises we search for an option to be with the participants who are bilingual, so that you won’t feel excluded from the joint work. Also, the workshop is experiential, it virtually does not matter in which language you are working within each exercise, however at least some knowledge of English will be needed to understand the instructions.

Accessibility

The workshop space is not wheelchair accessible. 

Ask your question or contact us directly

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We enter into relationships even before we are born – primarily, with our mother, later – in various circles and contexts, be it our family, school, romantic partnership, professional environment. Our connections and disconnections with others shape who we become.

Sometimes we think we are in control of our relationships. However, suddenly we may notice that it seems to be the other way around, as if our relationships manage and change us instead. Our life strategies flourish or collapse because of what happens within the subtle field of us being in the presence of others.

Workshop’s purpose

Using the scope of tools of Systemic/Family Constellations we will explore the resources hidden within existing and past relationships, address difficult questions about the past, ours and our ancestors’ and perhaps even clear the space for future developments in the relational field.

Potential results

• Better ability to receive and to give
• Understanding of hidden structures that serve as a factor of success or failure in our relationships with others
• Developing a different perspective that helps to cope with complex, disruptive dynamics in a relationship
• Engagement with others in a deeper, more mature way.

Structure

Core parts of the event are based on the approach of Family and Systemic Constellations. 

Language of the workshop: English

For those who’s preferred language is French: it is still possible to join the event, as most of the parts are experiential, not verbal and we can try to make the conditions as favourable as possible: help with translation of difficult parts, combine people who speak both English and French for the exercises if there will be enough bilingual participants. However the instructions will be mainly made in English, as well as the sharing parts so that sufficient knowledge of language is important.

For whom is this workshop?

Joining the event does not require special skills. Anyone who feels interest towards in-depth exploration of our relational living, can join.

Date and Time:

Saturday 12 Oct 2024. 11.30am – 4.45pm 

Venue:

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

Pricing:

• 175CAD early bird,
• 200CAD after Sept 27th Oct 1st,
• 215CAD on the day of the event. 

To secure the price you can pay in parts – the non-returnable deposit of 25CA$ (included in total price) is the minimum that has to be paid to secure the actual price and your spot.

Payment Options

• Interac e-transfer to email address info@denispetrov.info (recipient: Denis Petrov)
• Wise transfer to the same email address info@denispetrov.info 
• PayPal or Cash:  prior to paying, for instructions please contact Elena, the administrator of the workshop at administrator@denispetrov.info

Cancellation Policy

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

More information

About this event: Questions and Answers

Elena, administrator +1 (825) 437-3931, administrator@denispetrov.info 

Newsletter: information about future events

The post Relationship Compass: In-Person Workshop appeared first on Denis Petrov.

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The Path: Dealing With Challenges in Life

Overcoming difficult circumstances is a common occurrence in many people’s lives. Sometimes the transition goes relatively smoothly, in other situations we pay a high price for experiences that we would otherwise prefer to avoid.

Workshop’s purpose

The workshop focuses on integrating physical, emotional end energetic components of situations with our own inner dispositions. To improve access to available resources, better manage the difficult contexts in our lives.

Potential results

• Ability to discern both positive and potentially negative tendencies in the way we respond.
• Easily access our own personal strategies, broader outlook
• Knowledge of inner patterns: those that help achieve the desired result, and those that act as an obstacle.
• Being less affected by stress and negativity in the face of difficult circumstances
• Better preparedness and understanding

Structure

Core parts of the event are based on the approach of Family and Systemic Constellations. 

The structure includes elements of Systemic Ritual practice, a type of healing work based on Family/Systemic Constellations on one side, and the research and practice of Shamanism on the other. Work with sound and voice will be used as a means of processing and integration. 

Language of the workshop: English

For those who’s preferred language is French: it is not impossible to still join the event, as most of the parts are experiential, not verbal and we can try to make the conditions as favourable as possible: help with translation of difficult parts, combine people who speak both English and French for the exercises if there will be enough bilingual participants. However the instructions will be mainly made in English, as well as the sharing parts so that sufficient knowledge of language is important.

For whom is this workshop?

Joining the event does not require special skills. Anyone who feels like changing the degree of awareness and wants to accommodate the situations that seem difficult with more ease may participate.

Date and Time:

Saturday 09 Mar 2024. 12pm – 5pm 

Venue:

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

Pricing:

• 160CAD early bird,
• 185CAD after March 1st,
• 200CAD on the day of the event. 

To secure the price you can pay in parts – the non-returnable deposit of 25CA$ (included in total price) is the minimum that has to be paid to secure the actual price and your spot.

Payment Options

• Interac e-transfer to email address info@denispetrov.info (recipient: Denis Petrov)
• Wise transfer to the same email address info@denispetrov.info 
• PayPal or Cash:  please contact the administrator of the workshop at administrator@denispetrov.info

Cancellation Policy

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

More information: Elena, administrator +1 (825) 437-3931, administrator@denispetrov.info 

Newsletter: information about future events

The post The Path: In-Person Workshop in Montreal appeared first on Denis Petrov.