Imagine a holiday dinner or family reunion at which everyone is happy and full of joy to see one another. Sounds like a pipe dream? Maybe it's not. Family Constellations is group therapy to benefit personal, family and community healing. Conducted by Veronica Rheinhart, a healing arts practitioner for over 20 years, Family Constellations is a unique form of group healing that taps into the past.
"Much of what manifests in our lives is really unconscious," Rheinhart said. "Regardless of what kind of treatment is given there are immovable objects."
Rheinhart is licensed in acupuncture and massage, and is certified in nutritional counseling, Chinese herbs, ART kinesiology, astrology, sound and color healing and Family Constellations. She relocated to the Wood River Valley from Naples, Fla., six years ago.
When Rheinhart moved West, she took a sabatical from her practice to study Family Constellations and the five levels of healing used in the group therapy in Seattle with Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt. The five levels of healing are the guidelines used in the group work, which reveal the healing process. The principal developer of the process is German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger.
"Hellinger's work has been the outcome of his studies such as working with the Zulu tribe in Africa and how they remain healthy in the midst of war and displacement," Rheinhart said. "He was fascinated how the Zulus knew all their lineage, and he discovered that this acknowledgement of the past provided some rooting in their health. People remain in the present and honor their ancestors."
People are connected to their family legacy whether they recognize it or not, and Rheinhart said this type of communal therapy has a profound positive effect. Many people don't want to air their family laundry in public, but participants don't have to do anything. Session goers can just be observers and be there for someone else in the group.
Rheinhart will use props and yoga practices such as prayer and meditation to create a safe and confidential circle.
Family Constellations and the five levels of healing group work is held every four to six weeks. The next session is Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6-9 p.m. at the Hailey Yoga Center. Rheinhart works privately with clients as well. For details, call 450-9026.
Veronica Rheinhart conducts a Family Constellation session using meditation, guided imagery and crystal bowls Photo by
