In the past decades, Bert Hellinger's family constellation method has become a highly popular psychotherapeutic modality. Although some research has emerged concerning the foundations, effectiveness, and ethical aspects of family constellation therapy, psychological inquiry has neither reflected on the popularity of the method nor addressed its specific content in detail. In this article, I trace and interpret family constellation therapy within the context of esotericism. Given that parallels between Western esoteric thought and the family constellation system developed by Hellinger can be observed, this article explores the extent to which family constellation therapy is embedded within esotericism. By exploring family constellation therapy and thus broadening the scope of esoteric spirituality, this analysis contributes to contemporary research on Western esoteric thought.
Keywords: Antoine Faivre; Bert Hellinger; Western esotericism; esoteric spirituality; family constellation therapy.