I am glad the Board is waking up from its well deserved naptime. The
interchange with peers from all around the world is an important part of my
learning and development.
Mary -
Reflecting on your comment that something important is lost in transitioning
from group to individual Constellations, I am reminded of the economic model
of the 4 Gas Stations from the 1980s. This was the time that Bert Hellinger
put his own imprint on the family and group therapy practices were popular
in Germany. The 4 Gas Station model looked like this:
In the US, gasoline costs $1/gallon. You pump it yourself. There are 3
homeless people on the nearby corner, one of whom cleans windshields for
tips.
In Germany, gasoline costs $4/gallon. An attendant fills the tank and
cleans the windshield. He works 30 hours/week, receives 6 weeks of annual
vacation, universal medical care and advanced training for skilled
employment.
In Japan, gasoline costs $4/gallon. An attendant fills your tank. Another
cleans the windshield and checks the oil. Another vacuums out the car.
Another serves tea while you wait.
In the Soviet Union, gasoline costs $1/gallon. The gas station has an
attendant, but no supply of gas. On the corner is a man who can direct you
to a black market dealer who sells gas for $8/gallon.
The point is that the German model of group workshops developed where the
economic system afforded people to attend 3-day events. There was time and
money for everyone to get a turn.
In the US, people work in excess of 50 hours a week and have no time. Or
they are underemployed and have no money. As a practical matter, to provide
the Constellation experience to as many people who desire it and keep the
Constellator fed, the most cost- and time-efficient delivery method is an
individual process. Note that I am not a therapist and do not provide any
services other than Constellations. Does that make a difference?
I agree that the experience of the Constellation is more potent and powerful
in the group setting. However, in terms of outcomes, I have not seen that
the benefits are diminished. I especially value telephone Constellations
which are furthest removed from the group experience and yet seem to create
wonderful and lasting outcomes.
Dan
At 07:55 AM 12/7/2009, Mary Rentschler wrote:
Hello all, especially facilitators in the US
This thread opens up an important and complex issue. Since early 2005 we,
The Constellations Group, have led seven or eight workshops a year, mostly
struggling to attract participants.
We have a huge amount of work to do.
I would hate to see the work devolve into a form of individual therapy. Dan
is certainly right that much can be gained from working individually, and I
disagree with him that little is lost
in abandoning the group.
from snowy Washington, DC,
Mary Rentschler
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