Bert Hellinger: Between Spirituality and Psychotherapy — The Story of the Family Constellations Founder

Bert Hellinger left a lasting mark on the world of psychotherapy. His Family Constellations method gained popularity in many countries, while also sparking significant controversy.

From Priest to Therapist: A Life Journey

Anton Hellinger was born on December 16, 1925, in Leimen, Germany. In his youth, he joined the Catholic Missionary Order of Mariannhill and was ordained as a priest in 1952. He spent 16 years as a missionary among the Zulu people in South Africa, where he became familiar with their ancestral traditions. This experience deeply influenced his later therapeutic method.

Upon returning to Europe in 1969, Hellinger studied various forms of psychotherapy, including psychoanalysis, Gestalt therapy, and psychodrama. In 1971, he left the priesthood, got married, and dedicated himself entirely to therapeutic practice.

The Family Constellations Method: Core Concepts

Family Constellations is a therapeutic approach that reveals hidden dynamics and conflicts within family systems. Hellinger believed that many personal issues stem from unresolved traumas passed down through generations. During a session, a client selects group participants to represent family members, who then intuitively sense and express the emotions of those they stand in for.

Key Principles:

• Right to Belong: Every family member has the right to be acknowledged and included.
• Hierarchy: Respect for birth order and family roles.
• Balance of Giving and Receiving: Healthy relationships are built on mutual exchange of energy and support.

These "orders of love," as Hellinger called them, are seen as essential to family harmony.

Application and Influence

The method quickly gained traction in Germany and across Europe. It expanded beyond individual therapy into organizational work, education, and even legal contexts. Sessions are typically group-based, with participants acting as stand-ins for family members.

Hellinger also introduced the idea of a "morphogenetic field," a kind of collective memory of the family that influences its members. Although lacking scientific validation, this concept became a cornerstone of the method.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its popularity, Hellinger's method faced substantial criticism:

• Lack of Scientific Basis: The method lacks empirical support and does not meet evidence-based psychotherapy standards.
• Ethical Concerns: Practices like encouraging abuse victims to thank their abusers have drawn sharp criticism.
• Controversial Views: Hellinger’s statements on women, homosexuality, and incest were seen by many as misogynistic and homophobic.

Some researchers have also noted similarities between his method and concepts associated with "quantum mysticism" and pseudoscience.

Legacy and Relevance Today

Bert Hellinger passed away in 2019, leaving behind both passionate followers and vocal critics. His method continues to be practiced in many countries, including Ukraine, where workshops and seminars are still held.

Despite ongoing debate, many people see Family Constellations as a powerful tool for deep emotional healing. After his death, Hellinger’s wife, Sophie Hellinger, took over the legacy, leading the Hellinger®schule and offering educational programs, certification courses, and seminars on Original Hellinger® Constellation. While continuing Bert's vision, she also adapts the method to modern-day needs.

Expanding Into Other Fields

Today, Family Constellations are used far beyond traditional psychotherapy. They are applied in:

• Coaching: To uncover internal blocks in business or personal life.
• HR and Organizational Development: For diagnosing team dynamics.
• Education: As a tool to address bullying and family-related trauma among students.
• Legal Cases: Especially in family law, for navigating custody or divorce conflicts.

Seminars often involve live sessions where participants not only learn theory but also experience personal constellations. These events are often described as deeply emotional and transformative.

Controversial Yet Influential

Hellinger’s legacy is a testament to how one approach can be both inspiring and divisive. His “orders of love” resonated with those seeking meaning, but raised skepticism among evidence-based therapists.

Even some clinical practitioners admit that constellations can access unconscious layers of the psyche that other methods might not reach. Clients often report emotional relief, improved relationships, and psychosomatic healing.

Things to Know Before Attending a Constellation

• It’s not magic — it’s a deep psycho-emotional process.
• It doesn't replace traditional therapy but can complement it.
• Not all facilitators are certified — choose experienced professionals.
• Don't expect instant results — effects often unfold over time.

Zulu Culture’s Influence

During his 16 years among the Zulu in South Africa, Hellinger observed their strong ancestral traditions and rituals. This shaped his understanding of intergenerational ties and collective responsibility — ideas that later became the basis for his Family Constellations method.

Global Reach

Beyond Germany, the method gained traction in countries like Brazil, where it was integrated into the judicial system, and in France and the U.S., where it found followers among therapists and coaches alike.

A Complex Legacy

Bert Hellinger left behind a method that, like life itself, is complex, multi-layered, and controversial. Family Constellations are more than just a technique — they represent a way of seeing the world where we are deeply connected to our family, our past, and our history.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, in order to change our lives, we must look back and finally see what we hadn’t noticed before.