Tell Me What Family Sculpting Is All About?

It's a form of therapy that transcends mere conversation, allowing family members to physically arrange one another in a spatial tableau that represents their perceptions and feelings within the family dynamic.

Imagine a stage where each family member is both a sculptor and a sculpture. In this process, one person at a time takes the role of the director, positioning others in a way that symbolizes their relationships, emotions, and roles in the family. This might involve arranging someone to stand aloof, signifying detachment, or placing two members close together to represent a strong bond.

This method reveals underlying structures and patterns in family relationships that might otherwise remain unspoken. It's not just about what is said; it's about what is shown and felt. The physical arrangement becomes a powerful metaphor, a three-dimensional representation of family dynamics. It illuminates how each member views their role, their connections, and the emotional distances or closeness within the family.

The beauty of Family Sculpting lies in its ability to bring the unspoken into the open. It can uncover hidden loyalties, silent sufferings, and unacknowledged strengths. By externalizing these internal perceptions, it opens a path to understanding and healing. In a way, it's like a living, breathing family portrait, capturing not just faces but the invisible threads that weave the family together.

As the family observes and discusses the sculpture, insights emerge. It's a journey of discovery, where members learn not only about each other but also about themselves. This method fosters empathy, as seeing oneself through the eyes of another can be a profound experience.

Family Sculpting, in essence, is about bringing light to the shadows of family relationships. It's a tool to uncover, understand, and ultimately, to heal. In my practice, I've witnessed its power to transform relationships, fostering a deeper, more compassionate understanding among family members.

Watch The Video Here

How You Start Family Sculpting

• After explaining the concept and making sure the family is agreeable, the session would proceed with selecting a family member to be the first 'sculptor'. This person is tasked with arranging the other family members in a way that represents their view of the family dynamics.
• The sculptor directs the other family members, placing them in specific positions and poses that symbolize their relationships, roles, and emotional connections or distances. This can include aspects like physical proximity, direction of gaze, and body language. The sculptor might also explain their choices as they go.
• Once the sculpting is complete, everyone, including the sculptor, observes the tableau. This is a moment for reflection. I would facilitate a discussion, encouraging each member to share their feelings and perceptions about the 'sculpture'. It's crucial to validate all viewpoints and emotions. I would have family members swap positions and describe what it is to be the person in that position - this is a way to create empathy and understanding.
• The family discusses the sculpture, exploring the meaning behind the positions and gestures. This can lead to revelations about how each member perceives their role and relationships within the family. I would guide the discussion, helping to draw out insights and connections. 

Interpreting Family Sculptures:

Interpreting family sculptures requires skill and knowledge gained through training and experience. Therapists can make interpretations based on the positioning, actions, and overall message conveyed by the sculpture. However, it is crucial to back up interpretations with information gathered from the intake process, observations, and discussions with the family. Interpretations should guide the therapist's questions and interventions rather than being presented as definitive conclusions.

Family Sculpting With One Person?

I was running a residential treatment center for teens during Covid and adapted Family Sculpting (which I review) to a format that I can use online, with individuals and in groups. I call it Family Portraits and it's another way to make visual representations of the family.

It uses many of the same principles of a family sculpture - using distance, space and some projective techniques to allow a client to SHOW how they feel rather than tell. Often clients can't really use their words to describe what the family is like, but they can give us a better idea when we give them ways to play with items that they can project feelings and dynamics onto.

For example an image of a woman wearing red boxing gloves might represent to one client a sibling that 'sticks up for them' (physically or verbally) but the same image might represent a mother who is always fighting battles on behalf of the client.

Family sculpting can also be adapted for individual therapy or online sessions. Instead of using participants, the therapist and client can create a family portrait using images or cards representing each family member. The client chooses images that resonate with them and positions them on a canvas or table. This activity allows the client to express their perception of their family dynamics and relationships.

Process of Creating Family Portraits:

A family sculpture or a family portrait are both excellent ways of visualizing the experiences of family matters and dynamics.

1. Image Selection: The client selects images or cards that represent each family member, considering their associations and unconscious influences.

2. Positioning: The client places the images on a canvas or table, reflecting their perception of the family dynamics and relationships.

3. Reflection and Adjustment: The client reviews the portrait and makes any necessary adjustments to accurately represent their feelings about their family.