Exploring Cultural Issues for Constellation Work in South Africa

Abstract

Constellation work is a therapeutic and counselling intervention recognised in Germany and other European countries since the 1970s. Various scientists and practitioners have contributed to its theoretical and practical development, and research on the subject has increased over the past few years. However culture in constellation work has received little research attention and has not been empirically studied in African contexts. The aim of this article is to reflect on culture and its influence on constellation work in multicultural, post-apartheid South Africa. An empirical qualitative research approach within the phenomenological paradigm was adopted. Six constellation facilitators were interviewed with indepth and field notes taken during participative observations of constellation workshops. The findings provide insight into culture in constellation work in the South African context. Theoretical and practical recommendations for scientists and therapy practitioners working with systemic interventions like constellation work are provided.Keywords: constellations, culture, South Africa, post-apartheid, emic perspectives, qualitative research, family therapy Key Points 1 Constellation work (CW) is a therapeutic intervention that integrates aspects of family systems therapy. 2 The concept of culture has hardly been addressed in CW research. 3 Culture impacts on CW in terms of topics and key issues. 4 CW in South Africa can contribute to the improved understanding of members from different cultural groups. 5 CW is a cross-cultural approach to achieve healing, well-being and mental health.Culture is an aspect of diversity that places particular emphasis on the differences between individuals and members of groups belonging to various cultures and races, and between individuals of different genders and ages (Mayer, 2011). It is an important aspect of therapeutic and counselling interventions, shapes individuals' perceptions and interpretations (Ross, 2007), determines a person's goals, and influences the transmission and interpretation of messages (Gudykunst, 2005). Therapists, counsellors and constellation work facilitators (CWFs) can benefit from understanding the cultural influence of experiences and interpretations in counselling and group intervention settings.Family constellation work is a therapeutic group process that integrates components of family systems therapy (Schweitzer, Bornhäuser, Hunger & Weinhold, 2012;Weber, 2007;, existential phenomenology and ancestral beliefs (Cohen, 2006;Mayer & Hausner, 2015). It has become an international interdisciplinary movement, starting with the pioneering work of Bert Hellinger in the 1970s, and has gained the interest of European psychologists, family therapists and counsellors (Stiefel, Harris & Zollmann, 2002). Constellation work (CW) has been defined from cultural and inter-disciplinary perspectives (Levine, 2005;Payne, 2005;Ruppert, 2000;Schusterman, 2003;Van Kampenhout, 2003) and in this article is presented as a therapeutic intervention.In South Africa rese...

“A Lot of Ghanaians Really Don’t Understand the Work We Do” – Cultural Adaptations and Barriers in Ghanaian Psychotherapy Practice

“…Bakker and Snyders (1999) have argued that while the core principles of family therapy may be consistent with African settings, blind adoption of a Western-family model to problem-solving is problematic as it ignores the larger socioeconomic, religious, historical, and political contexts. Mayer and Viviers (2015) demonstrate that consideration of such contextual issues, through approaches to family therapy such as Family Constellation Work, results in positive experiences for clients. While the involvement of family members may enhance client investment in the therapeutic relationship and drive client retention and progress, more research needs to be done to identify when family involvement in Ghanaian settings is appropriate and when it is contraindicated.…”

Family Constellation Therapy in the Context of Esotericism

“…The method has gained popularity not only in Europe (Hrncic, 2017;Hunger et al, 2014;Stiefel et al, 2002) but also in the United States (Cohen, 2006;Hellinger, 2003b;Mayer & Viviers, 2016;Stones, 2006), China, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia (Duncan, 2017;Mayer & Viviers, 2015Pritzker & Duncan, 2019).…”

“…During the last decades, several conferences and hundreds of workshops have been held on family constellation in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, and the United Kingdom (Stones, 2006; Zseni et al, 2011). The method has gained popularity not only in Europe (Hrncic, 2017; Hunger et al, 2014; Stiefel et al, 2002) but also in the United States (Cohen, 2006; Hellinger, 2003b; Mayer & Viviers, 2016; Stones, 2006), China, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia (Duncan, 2017; Mayer & Viviers, 2015, 2016; Pritzker & Duncan, 2019).…”

Constellation work principles, resonance phenomena, and shamanism in South Africa

“…Within the South African society, indigenous healing is en vogue (Mpofu, Peltzer, & Bojuwoye, 2011), and numerous South Africans consult traditional healers (Ross, 2007) and use natural substances, prayer, and various rituals to support mental and physical well-being. Research shows that for medical and psychological healing, constellation work (CW) is used in different societies and cultural groups (Mason Boring, 2004; Van Kampenhout, 2003, 2008); however, hardly any study can be found on CW in South African contexts (Mayer & Viviers, in press). At the same time, psychological discourses aim at combining traditional and psychological healing and therapies (Moodley & West, 2005) for developing mental health and well-being (Berg, 2003).…”