Glossary of constellation terms
The Glossary of constellation terms briefly brings together the key concepts used in the articles of the constellation encyclopedia, arranged in alphabetical order. For each concept, a concise definition and a link to the article where it is examined in detail are provided.
B
Bert Hellinger
German psychotherapist and former Catholic priest (1925–2019), founder of the family constellations method, developed during the 70s and 80s of the twentieth century. For details, see Bert Hellinger.
Business constellations
Application of the constellation method to business matters: companies, teams, partnerships, clients, money, and development decisions. For details, see Business constellations.
G
Group constellation
A constellation conducted in a group: other participants take on the role of representatives for the people and elements of the client's system. See Group and individual constellations.
Z
Representative
A participant in a constellation (less frequently, an object or symbol) who represents an actual person, role, or element of the system without knowing them personally. Through their sensations, the representative makes visible the connections within the system. See representative perception and constellations.
Entanglement
The unconscious adoption of the feelings, fate, or burden of another member of the system — usually from an earlier generation. One of the patterns described by Bert Hellinger in family constellations.
I
Individual constellation
A constellation with a single client and a constellation facilitator, without a group. Instead of representatives, figurines, chairs, sheets of paper, or other objects are used. See Group and individual constellations.
Integral constellations
A variation of the method directed inward — towards internal conflicts, the various parts of the personality, and the choices and contradictions within the individual. See Types of constellations.
K
Client
The person who brings their question or issue to the constellation and whose system is being worked with. See How a constellation session works.
Constellation facilitator
The practitioner who guides the constellation session and assists the client in interpreting what is revealed by the field. Depending on the type of constellation, the representatives are positioned by the client or by the facilitator, and sometimes take their places on their own. See How to choose a constellation facilitator.
Constellation
A method in which the elements of a given system — a family, partnership, or team — are represented by participants or symbols in physical space so that the hidden connections between them become visible. For details, see Systemic constellations.
O
Organisational constellations
A branch of systemic constellations developed by Gunthard Weber for working with companies, teams, and organisations. See Business constellations and Types of constellations.
P
Field (knowing field)
A concept from constellation practice rather than a scientifically proven mechanism. It describes the space in which representatives experience feelings and impulses associated with the role without knowing it beforehand. Associated with representative perception.
R
The Orders of Love
The fundamental systemic principles described by Hellinger: belonging to the system, hierarchy according to the order of arrival, and balance between giving and receiving. See Bert Hellinger.
S
Family system
The totality of family members — parents, children, partners, earlier generations — viewed as a whole governed by shared principles and dynamics. The primary focus of family constellations.
Family constellations
The most widespread form of the method, developed by Bert Hellinger: addressing relationships within the family and across generations. For details, see Family constellations.
Systemic constellations
The broader discipline that applies the method to various types of systems — family, organisational, and business. See Types of constellations.
Structural constellations
A variation of the method that works with distinct elements of a specific problem or solution. Its fundamentals were developed by Insa Sparrer and Matthias Varga von Kibéd. See Types of constellations.
F
Representative perception
The observation that representatives in a constellation experience feelings and impulses related to the person they represent without knowing them. A practice-based concept; possible explanations are discussed in the literature, but there is no scientifically validated mechanism. See Research and limitations.
Terms in the Latin alphabet
Direct Change Solution® (DCS®)
A proprietary method developed by Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva, applied in coaching programmes and combined with constellations in the programmes of "Happy Life Academy". For details, see Direct Change Solution® (DCS®).
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Stoyana NatsevaLast reviewed: 2026-09-29