If you’ve been on a retreat at Casa Margou, you’ve probably experienced a family constellation. For many people it’s the most memorable moment of the weekend. For those who have never tried it, the name can sound mysterious. Here we explain, simply, what they are and what you can expect.

What family constellations are

Family constellations are a systemic therapeutic approach developed by the German Bert Hellinger. It starts from a simple idea: we are not only individuals, we are part of systems — our family, our ancestors, the groups we belong to. And we often carry patterns, loyalties and pain that come from these systems without realising it.

In a constellation, these dynamics are looked at in a visual, experiential way, to give them a new place and release what has been stuck.

How a session works

• The person doing the constellation shares with the facilitator the issue that brings them, for example a difficult relationship, a recurring pattern or a decision.
• They choose people from the group to represent family members or elements of the issue, and place them in the space.
• The representatives, without knowing much about the story, give voice to what they feel in that position. The facilitator follows along, suggesting movements and sentences.
• The constellation ends when it reaches an image of greater order and relief for the person who constellated.

You can also take part only as a representative, and many people say that this alone touches them deeply.

What you can expect

Every experience is unique. Some people leave with an immediate sense of lightness and others need days or weeks to integrate what they saw. It’s normal for emotions to come up. On a retreat, the group is small, the atmosphere is one of trust and there is time to rest, walk and share afterwards.

Constellations do not replace medical or psychological care. They are a self-knowledge tool that can complement other paths.

Constellations at Casa Margou

Maria do Patrocínio is a life coach and therapist in NLP, Family Constellations and Rebirthing. Constellations are part of all our retreats, each with the focus of its season: personal power in summer, relationships in autumn, what was left unresolved in winter and inner patterns in spring.

Maria also offers individual sessions by appointment, in Gourim or at another place to be agreed. Write to info@casamargou.pt.