The issue, and often the solution, is revealed within the first moments of interaction. By exploring our client’s verbal and somatic language, the core essence of the family trauma, whether known or unknown, is brought to light. Using this approach, loyalties and identifications are quickly exposed. What emerges is a rich, multilayered way of coming to clarity within the first few moments of chairwork, often obviating the necessity for further intervention.

 

 

The Core Sentence^TM
 

Family traumas live in our bodies, in our anxieties, in our fears— even in the words we speak. A woman may, for example, carry a trauma of sexual abuse— but it may not be her trauma. A man may live his entire life depressed, estranged from those around him, and never understand why. As therapists, we often encounter clients who carry symptoms of a particular trauma, yet know of no such information in their lives or in their family systems. In this training, therapists will learn how to uncover trauma in the system by exploring their client’s words, fears, symptoms and body language. Therapists will also learn how to extract a Core Sentence from their client’s “list of complaints” and develop it into a core image. In this way, the trauma in the system can surface within minutes and be transformed into a healing resource.

 

Working with Children
 

Bonded by a deep love, a child will sacrifice his own best interests in a vain attempt to ease the suffering of a parent. Additionally, when one parent is ignored or disrespected by the other, the child may attempt to balance this injustice in the form of a self-destructive behavior or an illness. Learning and attention difficulties, oppositional and self-injurious behaviors, eating and sleep disorders can all be forms of unspoken family loyalties. In the conventional model, we tend to look to our children for answers to problems that rarely rest in their hands alone. The systemic approach allows us to broaden our lens to include the parents. In this model, a child's behavior or condition is viewed as an expression of a problem between the parents or of an unresolved event in the family system. Such a lens allows us to view who’s been rejected or what's been disregarded in the family. 

 

 "Having the Relationship I Want"

Whether working with singles or couples, this training is designed to get to the heart of what prevents us from having the closeness 
we all desire. We'll explore the forces and dynamics that influence relationship choices on a subconscious level -- silent sabotage, hidden family loyalties, invisible identifications, as well as the 
habitual behaviors that erode our intimate relationships. Once we're free of entanglements from the past, new ways of giving and receiving love can begin to take root.

 

The Genetics of Success

This course offers practical, effective tools for any business leader who wishes to understand the systemic influences on employee behavior and performance in the workplace. Unresolved family issues can affect an employee’s productivity, camaraderie, stability and reliability. As personal family dynamics play out in the workplace, the consequences not only affect the employee, but many of those with whom he or she interacts: team members, bosses, managers, vendors, etc. Once understood, the past can remain in the past, allowing the present to become productive and fruitful.

The Effects of War

We belong to a nation, like a big protective family, that exists to protect its people who cannot do it on their own. This bond must be acknowledged. Failure to do so can invite suffering in the succeeding generations. For example, a man who leaves his country to avoid fighting in war often cannot take his being saved when others in his community perished or paid a difficult price. Later on, someone in his family may be drawn to war, or suffer like those left behind who suffered. In this training, we will learn how to identify and work with war trauma in the family system. We’ll explore the dynamics affecting subsequent generations, and demonstrate ways to bring healing to all sides involved. 

Self-Injury and the Family System 

They cut themselves, pull out their hair, pick at their skin, etc. They’re caught between an unacknowledged victim and perpetrator. They enact both fates in one body, harming themselves and then suffering from self-inflicted distress. In this training, therapists will learn to recognize the dynamics behind self-injury, as well as learn to perceive the self-injurer’s words, symptoms and physical actions as signs leading to traumatic events in the family system. Methods for integration will be demonstrated. Whether working one-on-one or in a Family Constellation, therapists will learn the importance of using body-centered awareness techniques and ritual to support healing and resolution. 


The Foundations of Hellinger's Systemic Therapy

This intensive training is designed to provide a working knowledge of the principles, practical aspects and applications of Bert Hellinger's phenomenological approach to working with family systems. Together we will construct a systemic lens through which therapists  can explore their personal as well as their clients' most complex and difficult issues. Therapists will learn to expand the traditional “family tree” to include those members whose exclusion or rejection caused discord in system. Other topics will include: Orders of Precedence, Three Levels of Conscience, What Creates Bonding and Belonging in Families, Guilt and Innocence and the Systemic Messages that keep us mired in destructive patterns. Upon completion, Therapists will be able to apply systemic principles in their own practices with groups, couples or individuals.

The Advanced Training

 

This training offers the opportunity to deepen understanding, anchor intervention, and support possibilities for change.  We will discuss ways to unearth hidden trauma in the family system, ways to fine-tune the intake process and ways to design homework assignments, both to anchor the constellation work and to "leave it with the client.” Additionally, we will examine the complexity of dynamics behind patients' issues, as well as how to work both in group and individual settings. Students will also be encouraged to bring in cases for in-depth case supervision.

The Pittsburgh Training Program

THIS TRAINING PROGRAM is designed to provide a rich and deep understanding of Bert Hellinger's phenomenological approach to working with family systems, as well as to provide a thorough working knowledge of the principles and practical aspects of facilitating systemic therapy in groups and individual sessions. We'll explore the unconscious loyalties and destructive patterns present in our families and learn pathways that lead to possible solutions. With personalized guidance and varied opportunities to practice all aspects of systemic work, both in class and as part of ongoing study groups, students will deepen the awareness necessary to become effective facilitators. Profound internal shifts take place throughout the course of our experience together as new definitions of healing and health begin to take root.


THE FORMAT: 18 days divided into 6 three-day weekends (Friday through Sunday, 10-6 PM) spaced approximately six weeks apart. This schedule is designed to allow students the time necessary to absorb the essence of the work, practice the tools and integrate the concepts.

COST: $3000. A $300 deposit is required to ensure your space. Limited to 24 students. SEND TO: Mark Wolynn c/o The Medical Hypnotherapy Center, 1824 Murray Avenue, Suite 303, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. (412) 422-1955. A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION from the Center of Behavioral Genetics will be issued at the end of the course.

 

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