Published on May 4, 2026 · Reading time 3 minutes · Written by Marta Coelho
Have you ever found yourself repeating a family pattern without meaning to? Repeating the same mistakes your parents made, even though you swore you'd do things differently? Family constellations illuminate these invisible dynamics that influence us without our awareness.
Developed by Bert Hellinger in the 1990s, family constellations start from a simple but powerful observation: we are connected to our family system through invisible loyalties.
These bonds can support us and give us strength. But they can also block us completely. A child who grew up with an absent parent can unconsciously recreate that absence in their own relationships. It's not a conscious choice. It's a systemic loyalty, something that gets passed down from generation to generation.
Family constellations make visible what was invisible, and free you from it.
In individual sessions at MC-TERRA, the work is done with figurines or representations that stand for family members. You don't need to bring the whole family, and it's often better to work alone.
The process unfolds in four stages:
1. Identify the issue. What block, what repetitive pattern bothers you? It could be relational, professional, or emotional. Often, people come with a specific question: "Why can't I commit?" or "Why do I always feel guilty?"
2. Set up the constellation. Place the figurines representing the people involved. The position you choose spontaneously already reveals much about the dynamics at play.
3. Observe the dynamics. What shows itself through the arrangement is often surprising. Distances, turned backs, exclusions that speak for themselves. This is when breakthroughs happen.
4. Find a resolution. Specific phrases and movements allow you to untangle the knot. Give to each what belongs to them. Acknowledge what was denied. Find your rightful place in the system.
Family constellations bring to light things you never suspected:
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the next ones directly in your inbox.
What is not seen in one generation will be carried by the next.
Sophie, 35, couldn't commit to a lasting relationship. Whenever a relationship became serious, she found a reason to flee. In a constellation, it emerged that her grandmother had lost a child at birth, an event never mentioned in the family.
Sophie was unconsciously carrying this grief. By acknowledging it and symbolically "returning" it to her grandmother, she was able to start building her own story without carrying the weight of the previous generation.
It's not magic. It's a process that requires courage and trust. But the results are often profound and lasting.
Family constellations are for anyone who:
At MC-TERRA, constellations are integrated into comprehensive support, combined with the enneagram and NLP for deep work. Each tool illuminates a different aspect of your story.
If you feel something holding you back that you can't put into words, family constellations may be a first step toward liberation.
