The Systemic Perspective on Schizophrenia, Bi Polar and Autism

 Recently I received these kind words and wonderful news from a client I have worked with over the past few years.

“I was introduced to the Systemic Constellation Work by a very dear friend. I went to the Family Constellation Workshop with an open mind to create mental health in my family as my two sons were diagnosed with Schizophrenia and my brother had been diagnosed with this illness more than 25 years ago. Under Krista’s expert guidance in the Constellation process we worked through the pain and suffering my ancestors had experienced in WWII.  Shortly after the workshop things started changing with my children and my brother. Today, three years later, both of my sons are doing very well, attending college and are fairly well adjusted.  One of them has not taken medications for over two years.  My brother has been communicating with us for approximately two years now as he has been willing to take medication.  My brother tells he had gone on a long 25 year trip somewhere and is now back.  I am so grateful that I was introduced to this amazing work. Thank you Krista for your gift in facilitating, and giving me back my family”…   Albuquerque, New Mexico

This testimonial reminded me of one of my early experiences of working with Bert Hellinger many years ago. The training was a five day intensive on "Psychosis in the Family." It was an extraordinary experience to say the least. Day after day, client after client we saw the same hidden dynamics revealed in the Constellations. Someone in the client’s family linage had experienced a difficult fate, usually a murder. This lead to someone in the current generation identified with both the victim and the perpetrator, causing a deep inner conflict, and carrying the burden of Schizophrenia, Bi Polar or possibly Autism.

“Schizophrenia is a family issue that goes through several generations. Schizophrenia is not a personal issue- it affects the whole family. You need only work with a member of the family, not the schizophrenic person. The main influence comes from those that were excluded. If you look at schizophrenia as an ill person, you cannot help. The system has an unresolved issue of murderer and victim. When the murderer and victim are both excluded, they are represented in one person. A schizophrenic person does service to the family out of a deep love. This deep love can point to resolution. The solution works for all members of the family.” Bert Hellinger

You may wonder how this is possible, that it could show up so often. But considering we are only a few generations from WWII and just a generation from the Vietnam War, and every conflict that has followed, it becomes much easier to understand. A few generations back, life was very different, people carried guns as a way of life, and accidents happened, people where run over by farm equipment, machinery, cars, and trains. I have worked with them all. In every case the perpetrator (even by accident) must be seen and included. It is profound.. and it is this movement that brings peace and resolution to the family.

I am continuously heartened and humbled by the depth and scope of this work, and its effect on those courageous enough to allow the truth to come to light, unburdening loved ones, and offering new opportunities to participate in life.

Taking our Mothers and Receiving Life

"All therapy is about taking our parents"..Bert Hellinger

My relationship with my mother hasn't always been as warm and connected as it is today. Not that it was horrendous, but there was definitely something there that did not allow our hearts full access to each other, no matter how hard I tried or what type of healing work I did.

There was much standing in the way. Her mother died of pneumonia when she was a little girl of two. Later as a young women going through WWII in Germany, she experienced the loss of her dear brother, and the loss of her beloved, the father of her first child in the war. When she married my father there was again the loss of a child before I was born.

To know my mother you never ever would have guessed it. She was one of the happiest, cheerful women you would want to meet. I had a happy childhood. So what was wrong with me..unhappiness, depression, difficult relationships, immune diseases. I was determined and courageous in my search for solution but nothing quite addressed the issues at the level required.

Then one life saving day I was introduced to Family Constellation Work. My world expanded and my heart opened, as I began to discover that it was I that held the pain, grief and trauma for my dear mother, and it was showing up in my life in the most challenging ways.

I discovered we all do it to varying degrees. This holding or identifying it is done on a soul level, out of love, as we are in service to our family. These deep energetics points of separation, and paradoxically bonds of love do not go away, they are to be held by someone in the family for many generations if necessary until seen, honored, and given a place in the hearts of those it belongs to.

Today the lead or weight that I carried for my mother has been forever transformed, and turned into gold through the alchemical process of the Constellation Work. My mother now has a place in my heart that is joyful, spacious and full.  

In my nine month Immersion Learning Program, participants reach a point where they can begin to take their parents in on a very deep level.This is a destination of our time together.

One of the the pieces of work I offer in this weekend is a deep process with the following words by Bert Hellinger. These are powerful words of healing. In honor of Mothers Day I am pleased to share them with you.

Thanksgiving at the Dawning of Our Lives

Dear Mother,

I accept from you everything,

all of it, with all that is included,

and at the full price that you paid for it,

and that I too am paying for it.

I will make something of it,

for your pleasure, and in your memory.

It shall not have been in vain.

I will hold onto it and honor it

and when I can, I will pass it on, as you did.

I take you as my mother

and you can have me as your child.

You are the right mother for me

and I am the right child for you.

You are the Big One, I am the Little One

You give and I receive – Dear Mother.