Types of constellations
Types of constellations refers to the various branches in which the constellation method is applied — according to the topic being addressed (family, business, personal), the format (group, individual, online), and the specific technique (with human representatives, with objects, in writing). Family constellations following the method of Bert Hellinger remain the most well-known and sought-after, but dozens of varieties exist today, and the method continues to branch out.[1]
| Types of constellations | |
|---|---|
| Type | Classification of the constellation method by topic, format, and technique |
| Founder | Bert Hellinger (original model — family constellations) |
| Varieties | family, systemic/organisational, business, structural, integral |
| Formats | group, individual, online |
| Related concepts | Systemic constellations, Group and individual constellations, Online constellations |
Family constellations
- Main article: Family constellations
Family constellations examine the relationships between parents, children, partners, and several generations back — as well as an individual's place within their own family system. They represent the starting point of the method, and it is precisely these that most people have in mind when they hear the word "constellation".[1] For details, see the article Family constellations.
Systemic and organisational constellations
Systemic constellations are a broader branch of the method, encompassing work with all types of systems — not only family, but also professional. Organisational constellations are one of its offshoots — developed by German psychiatrist Gunthard Weber for working with companies, teams, and organisations with specific goals, exploring dynamics and interactions within the structure.[2]
Business constellations
- Main article: Business constellations
Business constellations are oriented towards companies, teams, and partnerships: addressing topics such as clients, money, decisions, and business development direction.[3] According to Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva, in a business context, a constellation "helps us look at the system from the outside" (translated from Bulgarian) in the same way that a family constellation reveals a person's role in the family system.[4]
Structural and integral constellations
Structural constellations enable work with individual elements of a given problem or solution — such as a specific symptom, without necessarily setting up an entire family system. Their foundations were developed by Insa Sparrer and Matthias Varga von Kibéd.[5][6] Integral constellations, in turn, are directed inward — towards internal conflicts, different parts of the personality, choices, and contradictions within the individual.[7]
Other forms
Constellation work also branches into more specialised formats: constellations of the spirit (dealing with soulful and spiritual themes), guided practices with meditation, written constellations (in which the system unfolds through words, images, and positions on paper), practices with chairs or objects upon which a person sits or places items to observe different perspectives, as well as approaches combining constellation work with rituals — such as shamanic constellations.[8]
Formats
Regardless of the topic, any type of constellation can be conducted in a group or individually, in person or online — see Group and individual constellations and Online constellations. This makes the method flexible and accessible, irrespective of an individual's specific situation.[9]
Development of the method
According to Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva, "even Bert Hellinger himself recommended that the method develop" (translated from Bulgarian) — he did not want the method to remain confined solely to the system he had created, but believed it should continue to find new applications.[10] This is precisely why so many varieties exist today — the method is continually branching out into family, relationships, personality, organisations, business, and internal conflicts.[10]
Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva · Happy Life Academy TV· 2026-09-19· 2:51
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See also
- Systemic constellations
- Group and individual constellations
- Online constellations
- Constellation without a specific question
- Bert Hellinger
- Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva
References
- ↑ 1,0 1,1 „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“ — video, Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva, YouTube channel Happy Life Academy TV, 19.09.2026, min. 0:03.
- ↑ Weber, G. (Hrsg.) „Praxis der Organisationsaufstellungen: Grundlagen, Prinzipien, Anwendungsbereiche“, Carl-Auer-Systeme, 2000.
- ↑ „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 00:49.
- ↑ Ibid., min. 0:39.
- ↑ Sparrer, I., Varga von Kibéd, M. „Ganz im Gegenteil. Tetralemmaarbeit und andere Grundformen Systemischer Strukturaufstellungen“, Carl-Auer-Systeme, 2000; cited also in Natseva (2026).
- ↑ „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 00:56.
- ↑ „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 01:02.
- ↑ „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 01:09.
- ↑ „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 02:38.
- ↑ 10,0 10,1 „Колко вида констелации съществуват?“, 02:19.
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Stoyana NatsevaLast reviewed: 2026-09-29