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Family Constellation Method of Bert Hellinger in the context of the Code of Ethics for Psychotherapists
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Arch Psych Psych 2011;13(3):65-74
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ABSTRACT
Aim. The article describes the Family Constellation Method in the context of the Code of Ethics for Psychotherapists of the Polish Psychiatric Association. The aim of the article is to try to answer the question whether the method fulfils ethical criteria psychotherapists need to comply with. Methods. The Family Constellation Method of Hellinger raises controversies in the Polish body of psychologists and psychotherapists. The controversies concern the plausibility of using the method, its consequences for the patients as well as answering the question if the Hellinger's family constellations are psychotherapy. Other controversial issues are teaching the method as well as using it in professional educational and therapeutic institutions. Results. The analysis of the Family Constellation Method by Bert Hellinger in the context of the Code of Ethics for Psychotherapists indicates that this method does not fulfil many rules of the Code. Conclusions. The Family Constellation Method of Bert Hellinger does not fulfil vital rules of the Code of Ethics for Psychotherapists such as the process, contract, diagnosis, supervision, confidentiality, alternativeness. It also does not fulfil the basic criterion of psychotherapy, which is the process, thus it is difficult to treat this method as psychotherapy. Consequently, it is valid to question using the method by psychotherapists and offering it in professional therapeutic institutions.