Abstract
Because shame is often a hidden and isolated experience, a mindful and conscious approach is needed in order to heal shame. This chapter deals with the healing ritual of constellation work to transform shame from a negative, challenging emotion into a health resource. The therapeutic method and ritual of constellation work allows for the identification of shame within its systemic context and its conscious exploration. Insight is offered into this powerful healing ritual and tool which explores and transforms shame, not only at an individual level, but also within a therapeutic group context.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
I understand “the self” here as a person's essential being which distinguishes them from others and which includes personality characteristics, as well as ability, a person's attributes and an understanding and personal belief about who and what the self is (Baumeister, 1999).
- 2.
F = Father, M = Mother, U = Representative of client, Shame, Homosexuality. The arrow indicates the direction of the view and body of the representative. CWI = Constellation Work phase 1.
- 3.
In CW we can see that often a family member leaves as a representative for another family member who would like/would have liked to leave (but could or did not due to different reasons).
References
Anderson, R., & Carnabucci, K. (2009). The challenge and promise for psychodrama of systemic constellation work. Retrieved from http://www.awakening.com.au/download/diploma_library/SYS303%20Systemic%20Constellations/SystemicConstellationWorkand_Psychodrama.pdf.
Baumeister, R. F. (Ed.). (1999). The self in social psychology. Philadelphia: Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).
Cohen, D. B. (2008). Systemic family constellations and the use with prisoners serving long-term sentences for murder or rape. Doctoral thesis, Unpublished. Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, San Fransisco.
Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Focussed therapies and compassionate mind training for shame and self-attacking. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion. Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy. New York: Routledge.
Hunger, C., Weinhold, J., Bornhäuser, A., Link, L., & Schweitzer, J. (2010). Mid- and long-term effects of family constellation seminars in a general population sample: 8- and 12 month follow-up. Family Process, 54(2), 344–358.
Huyssen, K. (2015). Aufstellungen nach dem Modell der Ego-State-Therapie als salutogenetischer Integrationsprozess. In C.-H. Mayer & S. Hausner (Eds.), Salutogene Aufstellungen. Beiträge zur Gesundheitsförderung aus der systemischen Arbeit (pp. 173–188). Göttingen: Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht.
Imber-Black, E. (2002). Family rituals-from research to the consulting room and back again: Comment on the special section. Journal of Family Psychology, 16(4), 445–446. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.16.4.445.
Masters, R. (2016). Shame: From toxic collapse to healing exposure. http://robertmasters.com/writings/shame-from-toxic-collapse-to-healing-exposure.
Mayer, C.-H., & Hausner, S. (2015). Salutogene Aufstellungen. Beiträge zur Gesundheitsförderung aus der systemischen Arbeit. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht.
Mayer, C.-H., & Viviers, R. (2015a). Exploring cultural issues for constellation work in South Africa. Australian and New Zealand. Journal of Family Therapy, 36, 289–306.
Mayer, C.-H., & Viviers, R. (2015b). Constellation work principles, resonance phenomena and shamanism in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 46(1), 130–145.
Mayer, C.-H. (2018). Reflektionen über universelle und kulturspezifische Aspekte der Aufstellungsarbeit. In K. Nazarkiewicz, & P. Boquin (Eds.), Einflüsse der Welt—individuelles Schicksal im kollektiven Kontext. Praxis der Systemaufstellungen (pp. 115–129). Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
Morrison, A. (1983). Shame, ideal self, and narcissism. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 19, 295–318.
Nelson, H. D. (2016). Unashamed: Healing our brokenness and finding freedom from shame. Crossway: Wheaton.
Palazzoli, M. S., Boscolo, L., Cechin, G. F., & Prata, G. (1977). Family rituals a powerful tool in family therapy. Family Process, 16(4), 445–453.
Payne, J. L. (2005). The healing of individuals, families and nations. Findhorn: Findhorn Press.
Payne, J. L. (2006). The language of the soul: Healing with words of truth. Dyke Forres: Findhorn Press.
Perry, B. D. (2011). Adoption and systemic constellation work. Doctoral dissertation. Pro Quest Dissertations Publishing, Michigan, USA.
Schneider, J. (2007). Family constellations basic principles. Heidelberg: Carl-Auer-Systeme Verlag.
Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066x.55.1.5.
Stiefel, I., Harris, P., & Zollmann, A. W. F. (2002). Family constellation–a therapy beyond words. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. https://www.newpathspsychology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Ingeborg-Stiefel_Australian_New-Zealand-Journal-of-Family-Therapy.pdf.
Strickland, R. (1997). Wolf warriors and turtle kings: Native American law before the blue coats. Washington Law Review Association, 72, 1043.
Ulsamer, B. (2005). The Healing Power of the Past: The Systemic Therapy of Bert Hellinger. Nevada City: Underwood.
Van Kampenhout, D. (2008). Die Heilung kommt von außerhalb. Schamnismus und Familien-Stellen (3rd ed.). Heidelberg: Carl Auer Verlag.
Wong, Y., & Tsai, J. L. (2007). Cultural models of shame and guilt. In J. Tracy, R. Robins, & J. Tangney (Eds.), Handbook of self-conscious emotions (pp. 209–223). New York: Guilford Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mayer, CH. (2019). Healing Rituals to Transform Shame: An Example of Constellation Work. In: Mayer, CH., Vanderheiden, E. (eds) The Bright Side of Shame. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13409-9_34
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13409-9_34
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-13408-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-13409-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)