Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the Relational Constellations Learning Program?

Our ongoing Relational Constellations Learning Program Weekends consist of three categories of participants.

First Category: Active Learning Program Participants

The larger portion of the group, is an ongoing group, these members commit to and pay for 6 weekends at a time, one month before their 6 months begin. These are Active Learning Program Participants. The group provides a holding environment for their ongoing personal process. The group's topics are primarily formed to meet the needs of these Active Ongoing Participants.

There are three subsets of Active Learning Program Participants

  • Most Learning Program Participants are in the group for their own personal growth.

  • Some participants in the Learning Program are in it to learn how to facilitate.

  • Others are already facilitators and they come to the group to expand their capacities as facilitators, to deepen their own facilitation skills, knowledge, presence, embodiment.

Second Category: Passive Learning Program Participants

These participants register for 6 months at a time, but can not pay the full fee ahead of time, so they have a different payment arrangement, to be discussed. These participants are in the process for their personal growth and not to learn to facilitate.

Third Category: Regular Workshop Participants

These participants are either drop-in participants, or new workshop participants. They are participating in the group for one weekend. They have been to our groups previously and want to drop in now and then for a weekend. Some participants register to do a constellation (generally need to register 1 month ahead). Most participants attend to be part of the learning experience that occurs in the Constellation Field.

When does the Learning Program begin?

The Learning program is an ongoing rotating program and participants can join at several different points in time depending on enrollment. However, it is most advantageous and recommended to start from the beginning 

Why join the Learning Program?

Participants join the training for some of these reasons:

  1. To broaden their horizons

  2. To support their own embodiment

  3. To support their own personal process

  4. To acquire new resources to navigate life

  5. To address intimacy, love and belonging issues

  6. To learn about constellation concepts and facilitation

  7. To metabolize old trauma residue stored in the body & soul

  8. To reconnect with their life force and the aliveness of their soul

  9. To do soul retrieval work for parts of the self that have been cut off

  10. To explore and disentangle past ruptures that interrupt the flow of love

  11. To disentangle from any trans-generational issues that may be affecting their lives

  12. To have a holding environment and be in a supportive group for their own personal growth

  13. To experience stepping into representations and connecting with the immediacy of the moment of what wants to unfold

  14. To learn a new way of being that is tapped into deeper presence and in tune with the unfolding present moment experience

  15. To do any or all of the above in a safe holding environment/community.

Will I receive a certificate at the end of the Learning Program?

Yes. When participants register and complete six weekends, they will receive a Certificate of Attendance for that portion of the Learning Program. They then can register for six more weekends.

When that is completed, they will receive a certificate for having completed a full 12 weekends (year of the program). The Learning Program is a 2-year program. Some people stop then, some continue on for another year or two or even longer. Most participants use the Learning Program to support their personal process and personal growth.

What is a phenomenological approach?

A scientific approach is the work of the mind. 

A phenomenological approach is art. It engages the intuition in a moment-to-moment unfolding. Each piece of information or response from the system leads to the next inquiry or exploration. The facilitator does not seek a particular outcome; each movement is directed by the one that precedes it.

As every cell in a body contains information about the whole body, so a member of an organization or a family contains information at the deep level of consciousness about the system as a whole and its history.

Who attends the Learning Program?

People interested in being in a safe community while focusing on their personal healing journey of transformation. We have students from all walks of life, education, backgrounds, and spiritual beliefs.  For those in the healing and helping professions, the Learning Program offers another learning to incorporate into their work. Generally participants are drawn to our groups for a deep soul-level healing. The process is experiential and offered in a gentle, safe and supportive environment

If I miss days, do I still pay for them? 

Yes. The course fee is based on an entire course of learning and not upon individual days. On exception, If pre-arranged other arrangements may be possible.

What is your refund policy?

All payments are refunded if withdrawal is made before 45 days of the start of the Program.
Cancellations 7 days before the start date, 50% is refunded .
Cancellations 48 hours or less before the start date, there is no refund.
Payments are non-transferable to others or to future dates.
Emergency cancellations are considered upon personal request by email.

What if the Program is postponed or cancelled?

We reserve the right to postpone, cancel or change the program schedule in the event of unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances such as severe weather occurrences. We will do everything possible to reschedule the program to accommodate everyone. We are not responsible for student’s travel, lodging or incidental expenses.

What’s the difference between the Learning Program & the Workshops?

Both the Learning Programs and the Workshops offer a healing modality to help evolve a person's consciousness in relation to their ancestral lineage. The process assists your healing through three powerful modalities: Family Constellations, Somatic Psychology, Trauma Work, and influenced by the psycho-spiritual Diamond Heart Approach. It can be practiced in a group setting as well as in individual private practice.

What issues can I present at a Constellation Approach Seminar?

Any issue can be presented as everyone can benefit from the Constellation Approach regardless of their relationship with their family members or the degree to which they know their family history.

Can anyone attend a Weekend Workshop ?

Yes, it is open to the general public. 

Is this like family therapy and do I bring my whole family?

Constellation Work is not family therapy.  It is not necessary to bring your whole family; you may attend alone or can bring one or two family members who’ve registered, such as a parent, sibling or child.

Will I get to set up my constellation if I attend?

We cannot guarantee that all in attendance will have the opportunity to set up their constellation. There are only a limited number of constellations that can be done. Generally, to receive a facilitated constellation, best is to register a month ahead of time. We hold that those who attend the seminar will receive what they have come for, whether one does their own constellation, is chosen as a representative in another’s constellation, or observes numerous constellations throughout the seminar. 

The constellation process not only benefits client and family. Being a representative for someone else is an amazing gift in and of itself. This service to others enhances our capacity to see the world differently and to cultivate connection to the immediacy of the moment along with "the power of now". We usually set aside time each weekend, for participants to work in small groups, so every participant has a mini experience of a snapshot movement of the soul constellation.

Do You Provide CEUS? Yes. $100 for 10 CEUs.

CEUs are available for: LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs & RNs, provided by the Family Therapy Institute (CAMFT CE Provider #128307). Learn more.

The Healing Wisdom of Relational Constellations
Topics in Family Constellation Theory & Practice

Taught by JoAnne Chartrand and Dyrian Benz, PsyD
www.relationalconstellations.com

Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbra, 111 E Arrellaga St.
Saturday’s 9am-5/6pm, Sunday’s from 9am-3/pm

To Register Email a minimum of 1 week before workshop: joannachartrand@gmail.com

This course meets the qualifications for 10 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs and RNs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor Continuing Education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs and RNs.
Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content

Course Content and Learning Objectives:

The purpose of this course is to provide mental health practitioners with the ability to describe and apply how Family Constellations can generate healing connections with family and self. Through demonstration and discussion, participants will learn to use Family Constellations to address trans-generational issues, past trauma and emotional self-regulation. Topics vary from month to month, in order to cover the whole range of Family Constellation Systemic Theory and application topics. Click here for course syllabus and references.

Learning Objectives: 

Upon completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

  1. Identify how to work with clients in a resourced & titrated way to not re-traumatize them.

  2. Analyze which family disturbances are from personal dynamics, systemic dynamics or trans-generational issues that are passed on, through the family lineage..

  3. Explain how trauma affects our behavior, creates survival patterns and causes entanglements in the flow of love in the individual soul & in a family system

  4. Address the Psycho-Biology of Trauma and how it impacts the Autonomic Nervous System.

  5. Demonstrate methods to increase presence, embodiment, self-regulation and mindfulness to release trauma from the Autonomic Nervous System.

Target Audience

The target audience is licensed clinical professionals including psychiatrists, psychology, LMFT’s, LCSW’s, LPCC’s, LEP’s, RN’s, and registered interns. These workshops are also for individuals interested in their own personal development in embodied presence, for psychology students and for professionals in the mental health field.

Course Completion Certificates

CEU certificates will be awarded at the end of the workshop after the submission of a completed course evaluation form. Partial credit CEU certificates will not be awarded. If an attendee leaves before the end of the workshop or without completing a course evaluation form, they forfeit their CE credits.

Cancellation Policy:

The registration fee, less $15 process charge, will be refunded if written notice of the cancellation is faxed, emailed or postmarked 1 week prior to the workshop. Thereafter there will be no refunds. Refunds will be reimbursed via check within 5 business days of written notice.