Chris - Very well said. May I ask for amplification on one point that
seem central to this question?
One of the guiding principles of being a constellator, as articulated by
Hellinger, is to take the position, "I do not interfere in any way in
the movements of their soul." Ethics codes for therapists require
pro-active intervention in special circumstances, such as the case of a
suicidal client.
Do you agree that there is a potential for conflict here in very rare
instances, between the principles of non-interference and pro-active
intervention?
You state, "We probably should ensure that any vulnerable clients do
have adequate follow up." This suggests that in situations where you
see that the client's life may be in immediate danger, you would
interfere in the movements of the soul to ensure adequate follow-up.
As a matter of common practice, I agree with you that being a
constellator and therapist does not constitute a dual relationship of
the type restricted by the Ethics Code. However, it is helpful to look
at these subtle distinctions and nuances.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Walsh [mailto:chrisjwalsh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 5:11 AM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ConstellationTalk] Dual relationships
Hi Dan,
I wanted to address some of your comments about suicide
where you said:
The conflict would seem to arise in a circumstance where as facilitator
you might want to say something that you could not ethically say as a
therapist. For example, in the case of a client with suicidal feelings,
a facilitator may acknowledge the client's desire to follow someone in
the system to death. This can be voiced in a way that is accepting of
that fate. A therapist, on the other hand, is required by ethics to act
to prevent that fate from being realized.
However, being drawn towards death in the form of suicide, has many
subtle nuances. It can be a valid manoeuvre to acknowledge this in both
traditional therapy and in constellations.
First we need to consider that there are quite different situations in
constellations in which it may arise i.e..
1. for someone other than the client who might or might not have
already died
2. for the suicidal client
I assume you are talking about the second situation. In that situation,
the acknowledgement and validation of the desire to die is a necessary
step in dealing with it. After all this is not a trivial feeling that a
person arrives at easily. Disavowal only leads to worsening feelings of
alienation in the client.
When a therapist accepts that fate either in constellations or therapy
this is a seemingly paradoxical step that is used to clarify the
situation. It helps the client to feel understood. It is usually only an
intermediary step which leads to the client finding a way to turn and go
forth in their life. Very occasionally the paradoxical intervention is
enough and the intervention can be stopped there. A therapist needs to
be very skilled & experienced dealing with suicidal clients to do this.
I myself haven't done it for some years. Nonetheless it is a recognised
therapeutic technique.
In the setting of constellations we need to be mindful that the
constellation may have subtle unobserved acute effects. As such, we
probably should ensure that any vulnerable clients do have adequate
follow up. Some may even need assertive medical treatment. Even with
this, there are no guarantees because some psychiatric illnesses like
cancer are terminal, in spite of the best treatment. So we as
therapists, need to bow to fate. That frees us to act more skilfully.
When hold that attitude in our hearts, our clients feel better
understood and better held, which actually makes it more likely that
they will want to live.
So I don't see an ethical conflict between competent therapeutic
management of these issues in the two arenas of constellations and of
conventional therapy.
hasta la vista
Chris Walsh
An Australian Constellation Website:
www.constellationflow.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Booth Cohen <mailto:danbcohen@xxxxxxx>
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, 12 May 2004 12:44 PM
Subject: RE: [ConstellationTalk] Dual relationships
Libby - You are raising an important point.
The general public might think that the Code of Ethics exists to protect
clients from unethical psychologists. However, the members of
professional associations guided by these Codes understand that their
primary purpose is to protect practitioners from civil and criminal
liability in situations where the outcome of treatment is not
successful, such as in the case of suicide. If a practitioner can
demonstrate that the course of therapy conformed to best practices, as
set forth in the Code, they there is no legal liability for a bad
outcome. Conversely, if the therapist's actions fall outside the
boundaries established by the Code then the courts may establish a case
of malpractice.
The situation of being a therapist and facilitator raises some thorny
issues. The conflict would seem to arise in a circumstance where as
facilitator you might want to say something that you could not ethically
say as a therapist. For example, in the case of a client with suicidal
feelings, a facilitator may acknowledge the client's desire to follow
someone in the system to death. This can be voiced in a way that is
accepting of that fate. A therapist, on the other hand, is required by
ethics to act to prevent that fate from being realized.
It would seem to me that once you accept the responsibility of being a
person's therapist, you cannot shut it off for purposes of facilitating
a constellation. The responsibilities of a therapist supercede the
detachment required of the facilitator. Operationally, there are a
number of ways to work around this.
Thanks for bringing this subtle distinction up for discussion.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: Libby Nottle [mailto:LibbyNottle@xxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:35 PM
To: ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: *Possible Junk Mail* [ConstellationTalk] Dual relationships
Thanks for the responses so far. I appreciate the way the definition of
therapist can be extended but I am also asking an ehtical question. As a
clarification I meant dual relationships in terms of (as the other Libby
defines)
"a professional who works in different capacities"
Part of my reason for seeking comment is that were my practice to be
questioned by a professional organisation, the organisation would take
into account what is considered appropriate practice with other
practitioners in the field ie you guys!!! (as well as my supervisor's
reports of our discussions relating to the client, Chris's, as my
constellation colleague, comments about the workshop etc)
My query is partly, and I stress only partly, prompted by a situation
earlier this year when a client of mine suicided. I had been seeing him
reasonably regularly over a two year period and he had attended a number
of Chris and my constellation workshops. The most recent was two weeks
before his death. He had had previous attempts. His family were very
grateful for the support he received from (a number of) professionals.
So I did not end up before Coroner's Court or answering a complaint to a
professional body from family members. But I could have.
This is an unusual situation. And having clients attend workshops can
benefit the therapy but if it "goes wrong" what are the
justifications/processes? In the sort of context described above
arguements in addition to definition of therapist would be useful.
Thanks
Libby
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