Research
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Many people tell us of the revolutionary impact Systemic / Family Constellation Therapy has had on their lives. Yet, for a modality that has been operationalised and practiced for over 30 years around the world, we still know very little about the effectiveness of this therapy.
Core Insights Institute is sponsoring a clinical trial to find out the answer to an important question:, “What Good Can One Session Do?
This mixed-methods study asks, “To what extent can a single Family Constellation Therapy session in an individual setting produce meaningful client outcomes, as measured by changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels, personal relationships, and psychological well-being and explored through clients’ subjective experiences?”
Listen to a podcast detailing this research.
Purpose
The aim of this study is to understand whether or not there are changes to participants’ levels of stress, anxiety, mood, overall wellbeing, and/or experience in relationships after a single Family Constellation Therapy session in an individual setting. It will explore how individuals describe their experience of a single Family Constellation Therapy session and what, if anything, they report (including no change).
Clinical Trial Registration
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12625000718448
Clinical Review & Ethical Oversight
The Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee has reviewed and approved this study in accordance with the Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023), incorporating all updates. This Statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.
Who Can Participate?
The study is open to adults (18+) living in Australia who may be currently experiencing stress, anxiety, low mood, and/or relationship challenges.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
What’s Involved?
Participation is completely voluntary. If you decide to participate, you will need to:
- Register your interest. Click the REGISTER YOUR INTEREST button on the top of this page;
- Answer an online questionnaire to see if this study is right for you which will be sent to you after you register;
- Read the Participant Information Sheet (which will be sent to you);
- Sign and submit an electronic Informed Consent Form (which will be sent to you)
- Participate in:
- Two online interviews before the Family Constellation Therapy session;
- An individual online Family Constellation Therapy session;
- Two online interviews after the Family Constellation Therapy session;
- Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 30 minutes) after each interview;
- Report any adverse effects to the Principal Investigator immediately.
The study timeline requires approximately to 7 to 8 hours of your time over the course of 16 weeks. The entire study is conducted online.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact diane@coreinsightsinstitute.com. Taking part is completely voluntary. You can say no, or withdraw at any time, without giving a reason and without affecting your relationship with the research team.
This study is not appropriate for everyone. For participants’ safety, some exclusions apply. The entire study is conducted online. Participants must be computer literate, have access to the internet and be familiar/proficient with the online meeting software, “Zoom.”
Listen to the podcast describing the research.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Register your interest in participating in this research by clicking the button at the top of this page or by emailing diane@coreinsightsinstitute.com
HOW MUCH TIME IS INVOLVED AND WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
The study timeline requires approximately 7 to 8 hours over the course of 16 weeks. The entire study is conducted online in the privacy of your own home. Participants must be computer literate, have access to high speed internet and be familiar/proficient with the online meeting software, “Zoom.”
WILL I BE ABLE TO FIT MY INTERVIEWS AND FAMILY CONSTELLATION THERAPY SESSION AROUND MY SCHEDULE?
The research team will work with you to schedule your sessions within the timeframes outlined. You will be offered a range of dates and and can select what works for you. If you need to reschedule, let us know as soon as possible.
ARE THERE COSTS INVOLVED?
You will not be paid for taking part in this study. However, you will be offered a private, individual Family Constellation Therapy session (60-90 minutes) at no charge as part of the study protocol.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ENROLLED IN THIS STUDY?
An estimated total of 35 participants will be enrolled in this study in Australia.
ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL RISKS OR DISADVANTAGES IN PARTICIPATING?
You may feel strong emotions during or after the Family Constellation session. Most people find these feelings mild and short-lived. Recent studies on Family Constellation Therapy found minor to moderate short-term negative effects in a small proportion of participants (5–8%), with no serious adverse events reported (Konkolÿ Thege et al., 2021). However, your symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression could worsen. Because evidence is still emerging, this study includes extra safeguards:
- Well-being checks. Interviews and questionnaires before and after the session track your stress, anxiety and mood, and general wellbeing.
- Safety threshold. If your questionnaire scores show extremely severe distress, you will be withdrawn and referred to your GP or another clinician of your choice.
- Ongoing support. Should your mental health worsen at any time, we will pause your involvement, offer referral options, and give you crisis-line details. You are free to leave the study at any point without giving a reason.
Your data will be stored securely and your name will not appear in any publications. However, any system carries a privacy risk. For more information on data risks, refer to the Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form.
ARE THER ANY POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING?
Benefit is possible but not guaranteed. A new study (August 2025) found that Family Constellation Therapy is effective for adults with depression, anxiety, and stress. After an average of only 7.5 sessions, 88% of participants showed clinically significant improvement. These findings position Family Constellations as a promising and effective treatment option (Ramos & Ramos 2025. .Although limited, additional emerging studies reveal Family Constellation Therapy can help some people see their emotional and relationship patterns more clearly, which may translate into behaviour change (Cohen 2024; Konkolÿ Thege et al. 2021). Because Family Constellation Therapy has not been researched in a single, individual session format. Your contribution will help us clarify its safety, limits, and potential value, which may inform future clients and practitioners. Your participation will provide us with insight into how change (or no change) is experienced and measured, and may help future research. For more information on potential benefits, refer to the Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form.
WHAT WILL I BE ASKED TO DO?
After you are enrolled in the study, you will be asked to participate in four interviews, two before the Family Constellation Therapy session and two follow-up interviews. At the time of each interview, you will be asked to fill out an online questionnaire with questions about your personal challenges, mood/emotional state, general well-being, and your experience in relationships. You will also participate in a one-on-one Family Constellation Therapy session. See below:
- Interview 1 – Week 1 (Via Zoom)
- Participate in a 45-60 minute interview; and
- Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 30 minutes).
- Interview 2 – Week 3 (Via Zoom)
- Participate in a 30-minute interview; and
- Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 30 minutes).
- Family Constellation Therapy Session – Week 4 (Via Zoom)
- Join a 60–90 minute secure Zoom call between you and the Participating Psychotherapist, Yildiz Sethi.
- Interview 3 – Week 6 (Via Zoom)
- Participate in a 50 to 60-minute interview; and
- Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 30 minutes).
- Interview 4 – Week 16 (Via Zoom)
- Participate in a 50 to 60-minute interview; and
- Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 30 minutes).
For detailed information on what is involved in each of the interviews and questionnaires, refer to the Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form.
WHOM DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
If you have questions or would like more information about this study or about Family Constellation Therapy, please contact:
Principal Investigator: Dr. Diane Rogers
Email: diane@coreinsightsinstitute.com
Phone: 0426469222
Web: https://coreinsightsinstitute.com
Participating Psychotherapist: Yildiz Sethi, M.A.
Email: yildiz@yildizsethi.com
Phone: 0412172300
Web: https://familyconstellations.com.au
WILL I BE ABLE TO ACCESS OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES DURING THIS TRIAL?
You may continue all usual psychiatric, psychological, and medical care while in this study. We strongly recommend that you discuss participation with your treating clinician. If you or your clinician feel the study conflicts with your treatment plan, or if you cannot meet monitoring requirements, participation may not be suitable. Participation is voluntary; you may withdraw at any timewithout affecting your care or your relationship with the research team. At the check-in meetings, we will ask about other care or medication changes only to help interpret results. If your symptoms worsen, we may recommend pausing or withdrawing and will direct you to appropriate support. Your safety comes first. If you are eligible and decide to participate, you will be sent a Participant Information Sheet/Consent Form to sign. Before signing, we recommend reading the Information Sheet to understand the details.
WHAT IF I HAVE EXPERIENCED A RECENT CONSTELLATION SESSION?
Those who have experienced a personal Family Constellation Therapy session or training in the last 12 months where they worked with their own issue are not eligible for this clinical trial. If you have attended as a representative at a group workshop you would be eligible.
WHO HAS REVIEWING AUTHORITY AND CLINICAL OVERSIGHT FOR THIS CLINICAL RESEARCH?
The Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee has reviewed and approved this study in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023), incorporating all updates. This Statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies. The trial is clinically registered under Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12625000718448.
Should you wish to discuss the study or view a copy of the complaint procedure with someone not directly involved, particularly in relation to matters concerning policies, information, concerns or complaints about the conduct of the study or your rights as a participant, you may contact the Committee chair at Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee on 08 8361 3222. Complaints can be made confidentially to the Bellberry HREC by contacting the Chief Executive Officer: Bellberry Limited, 129 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood 5063. Telephone 08 8361 3222. bellberry@bellberry.com.au
Thank You For Your Interest. Registration is Closed.
Thank you for your interest in our study on Family Constellation Therapy. Although registration for this research is currently closed, for this unique research, you may register your interest for future research projects. Be among the first to receive the results of this research and to be notified of future research projects!