Family Constellations Auckland Heal What You Inherited
Some of the patterns we carry in life (in our relationships, our health, our sense of belonging) do not begin with us. They begin with those who came before us.
Family Constellations is a powerful therapeutic modality that reveals the hidden dynamics running through family systems across generations and creates space for genuine healing to occur.
Brian Berneman is an experienced Family Constellations facilitator based in Auckland, New Zealand. Drawing on over 15 years of holistic practice and a deep grounding in neuroscience, somatic work and ancestral healing, Brian holds a calm, grounded and deeply supportive space for this work, whether in individual sessions or group workshops.
What is Family Constellations?
Family Constellations (also known as Systemic Family Constellations or ancestral healing) is a therapeutic approach systematised by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger. It is based on the understanding that unresolved trauma, grief, loss and exclusion within a family system can be unconsciously passed down through generations, influencing the lives of descendants who had no direct experience of the original event.
In a Family Constellations session, these hidden dynamics are brought into the open. Using representatives (in a group setting) or symbolic objects (in an individual session), Brian facilitates a process in which the invisible loyalties, entanglements and systemic orders of the family are made visible, and a path toward resolution and peace becomes possible.
This is not talk therapy. It works at a deeper, systemic level, accessing the body’s wisdom and the morphic field of the family to create shifts that can be felt immediately and continue to unfold over time.
"My experience of Family Constellations with Brian was truly transformational. He has such a skill of holding space and being with you, as confronting energies and emotions are externalised for you to witness and process. I found it so healing to be able to experience how so many parts of my life were connected, and had the opportunity to let go of darkness I was carrying that I didnʼt need to be holding anymore. I truly recommend the experience to anyone wanting to release their grasp on the past and move forward into the future feeling more light and centred."
- Kimmy West, New Zealand
People come to Family Constellations sessions in Auckland for a wide range of reasons:
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Repeating patterns in relationships or work that seem impossible to break
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A pervasive sense of not belonging, or feeling disconnected from family
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Unexplained anxiety, depression, grief or physical symptoms
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Difficulty moving forward after loss, separation or trauma
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Intergenerational trauma including war, migration, abuse or early death
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A desire to understand and heal the family system for future generations
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Relationship challenges with partners, parents, siblings or children
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Career blocks or financial patterns that seem tied to family dynamics
What Can Family Constellations Help With?
Brian offers Family Constellations work in two formats:
Individual Sessions
One-on-one sessions use symbolic representatives such as figures or floor markers to map your family system and explore its dynamics. These sessions are deeply personal, confidential and can be conducted in-person in Auckland or online via video call. They are ideal for those who prefer a private setting or who are exploring sensitive material.
Group Workshops
Group workshops bring together a small number of participants who serve as representatives for each other’s family systems. Even when you are not the focus of a constellation, witnessing and participating in another person’s work often generates profound personal insight. The collective field created in a group setting amplifies the healing process in ways that are unique to this format. Brian runs Family Constellations workshops regularly in Auckland.
"Thank you for holding space and offering this powerful healing modality. I had heard that it was amazing and I got to experience it first hand at your last family constellation evening on Tuesday. I loved every moment of the evening, before we even started I could feel the energies and how magical it was going to be. I was captivated by the unfolding of the events and energies and all held beautifully by your supportive, calm and loving facilitation. You could see the difference in peopleʼs energy at the end!! I woke the next morning with a very obvious lightness of mind and body - and I wasnʼt even the main person chosen for the evening. It reinforced for me how when we come together in community we can create healing magic for all. I canʼt wait to join the next one and have recommended it to many people already."
- Jane Dobson, New Zealand
Individual Sessions vs Group Workshops
What to Expect in a Session with Brian
Brian creates a safe, non-judgmental container for this work. Sessions typically begin with a conversation about what has brought you to Family Constellations and what you are hoping to explore or resolve. From there, Brian guides the constellation process with care and attunement, integrating his knowledge of somatic healing, breathwork and mindfulness to support whatever arises.
You do not need to know your full family history to benefit from this work. The body and the field hold what the mind cannot always access.
Sessions typically run 75–90 minutes for individuals, and group workshops run 2-3 hours.
Why Work with Brian Berneman?
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15+ years of experience in holistic healing and facilitation
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Background in neuroscience, bridging ancient wisdom with modern understanding
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Trained in Family Constellations, sound and energy healing, somatic healing, Reiki, and Tibetan Buddhist practices
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Faculty member at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) since 2019, teaching Mental Health, Wellbeing and Social Change
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Co-founder of Conscious Action and You Being You
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Fluent in English and Spanish, with experience working with multicultural and Latin American communities
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In-person sessions available in Auckland; online sessions available worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Family Constellations therapy?
Family Constellations is a therapeutic modality that explores the hidden dynamics and unresolved trauma within family systems. Developed by Bert Hellinger, it works on the principle that patterns of pain, exclusion and trauma can be passed unconsciously through generations. A Family Constellations session makes these dynamics visible and creates space for healing and resolution.
Do I need to know my full family history to do a Family Constellations session?
No, but you can. You do not need detailed knowledge of your family history. The constellation process works with what is present: the body, the field and whatever arises in the moment. Many people are surprised by what emerges even with limited conscious knowledge of their ancestry.
How is Family Constellations different from regular therapy?
Family Constellations works at a systemic level rather than focusing solely on the individual. It does not rely primarily on verbal processing or cognitive insight. Instead, it accesses the body’s wisdom and the family field to create shifts that can be felt immediately. It is often used alongside other therapeutic approaches.
Can I do Family Constellations online?
Yes. Brian offers individual Family Constellations sessions online via video call, using symbolic objects or written representations in place of physical representatives. Many clients find online sessions equally powerful.
How many Family Constellations sessions will I need?
This varies depending on what you are working with. Many people experience significant insight and shift in a single session. Others find value in returning to explore different aspects of their family system over time. Brian will discuss this with you in your initial session.
Where are Family Constellations sessions held in Auckland?
Brian’s in-person sessions and workshops are held in central Auckland, mostly at The Life Centre in Ponsonby. Please contact Brian to confirm the current venue and upcoming workshop dates.
Is Family Constellations suitable for everyone?
Family Constellations is suitable for most adults seeking to understand and heal patterns in their lives and relationships. Brian will discuss your individual situation before the session to ensure it is the right approach for where you are right now.
Book a Family Constellations Session in Auckland
1:1 Sessions
Each session is meticulously tailored to foster personal transformation, guiding you towards mindful living and sustainable growth.
Group sessions
Join a Family Constellations - Ancestral Healing workshop to heal.
Private Sessions
Looking to have private group sessions? Or for Business or team members to create change?
Whether you are drawn to individual work or a group workshop, Brian welcomes you to take this step. Family Constellations can open doors that other approaches have not been able to reach.