What’s the Connection Between Family Constellation and Epigenetics?

In recent years I have been exploring two fascinating fields that each try, in their own way, to understand how the past keeps shaping the present: epigenetics and family constellations. The two fields are completely different in their origin and method, yet there are interesting points of overlap between them. In this article I share what I have learned so far, and how this way of looking at the past also connects to my approach as a Chinese medicine practitioner.

What is epigenetics

Epigenetics is a relatively new field of biological research, dealing with how the environment can affect the expression of genes, without changing the DNA sequence itself. Such changes can lead to differences in traits and disease tendency between people, even when their genetic structure is similar.

One of the interesting findings in the field is that some of these changes in expression may be passed down from generation to generation, meaning that the experiences of parents and grandparents, especially experiences of stress or hardship, may leave a biological fingerprint that also shows up in their descendants.

What is family constellation therapy

Family constellation therapy, by contrast, is a psychotherapy method developed by the German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger. The method is based on the idea that problems people experience in the present can be linked to unresolved dynamics within their family of origin.

In a constellation session, participants represent family members of a given person, and through their placement in the space the facilitator tries to reveal hidden patterns – such as loyalty to someone who was harmed in the past but no longer serves the person, or a family secret that keeps having an effect even when no one speaks of it anymore.

Where the two fields meet

Both epigenetics and family constellation therapy try to understand how experiences and influences pass from generation to generation, though each approaches this from a completely different angle. Epigenetics focuses on the biological and genetic side of inheritance, while family constellation therapy focuses on its emotional and psychological side.

A similar idea sits at the base of both fields: the present can be influenced by events that happened long before we were born, and this understanding can help people make sense of reactions, fears or patterns that are otherwise hard to explain.

How this connects to my approach as a practitioner

In Chinese medicine, the patient is viewed as a whole – not only the symptom that brought them in, but also their history, their lifestyle, and the patterns that keep repeating in their body over time. In that sense, my interest in epigenetics and family constellations is a natural extension of that same holistic approach.

That said, it is important to be clear: the basis of the care at the clinic is Chinese medicine – acupuncture, Tuina, cupping and herbal medicine. When a difficulty is also tied to family patterns, systemic work can accompany the physical treatment. My interest in the field is mainly professional and personal, coming from a wish to understand the person in front of me as broadly as possible.

Important to know

Family constellation therapy is a complementary psychotherapeutic method, not a scientifically proven medical treatment, so it should be treated as a possible tool alongside suitable professional support rather than a replacement for it. Similarly, epigenetics is still a developing field of research, and its findings do not form a basis for independent diagnosis or treatment.

Anyone dealing with emotional difficulties, health problems or recurring patterns that make life harder is encouraged to seek out suitable professionals – psychologists, doctors and therapists – and to combine this, where relevant, with complementary treatment such as Chinese medicine.

To schedule a treatment

If you are curious about my holistic approach to treatment, or are dealing with an issue where you would like to combine Chinese medicine alongside other processes, I would be glad to hear from you and help. For more details and to get in touch.