IFS CONSTELLATIONS (1 day) - BRISTOL

Join Ruth Culver for a unique day of Embodied IFS processes including IFS Constellations.

Take a journey of exploration with your own internal system in this powerful embodied experience for growth, freedom and transformation. This small-group workshop offers the opportunity explore your challenges, beliefs and habitual behaviours through a variety of IFS processes: meditations, journaling, intuitive mark-making, dyad/group sharing, and two full IFS Constellations.

"A groundbreaking experience - full of insight and wonder"

You will be guided throughout in the IFS practice of bringing curiosity and compassion to whatever is happening inside, gaining clarity about old patterns and building inner calm, courage and confidence. The day is structured to support nervous system regulation, and experience the developing trust and connection possible through attending to your internal system whilst participating in shared group activities.

You don't need any experience of Constellations to attend, but all participants are asked to have some familiarity with IFS (see 'Preparation' below). There are only 12 places available, so early booking is recommended.

One of the two personal Constellations is available to pre-book, for which you need to have attended before (or have IFS training). The second Constellation is decided by lottery on the day, open to all attendees. Everyone is fully involved in the Constellations, either participating or witnessing, both of which offer opportuinites for profound insights and personal growth.

Ruth aims to actively work from a place of anti-oppression, cultural/neural/gender-diversity affirmation, and to uphold inclusivity, confidentiality and safety within her workshops.

FEEDBACK

"Revelatory, warm, life-affirming — and unlike any workshop I've attended before."

"I was surprised how the parts I represented took over and became natural to me, and I gained so much insight about my own parts through doing this. I could see how beneficial it was to see where each part stands in relation to each other and how they feel about being in that place."

"A powerful, insightful and inspirational day. It felt super safe, contained and respectful."

"The extraordinarily gentle, compassionate and respectful space that Ruth creates means strangers come together, feel completely at ease and able to support each other's healing."

“Really deep work done in a safe and nurturing way.”

"I really like how IFS model is adapted for external exploration. Also how all those witnessing can engage with their own parts brought up by the constellations."

"An intimate internal experience helping me to connect with my parts deeper than I have before."

"The constellation process showed me how I can interact with my parts without being overwhelmed because the parts were represented outside of me — I found I could really observe them and meet them."

“I’m feeling really positive, less judgemental. My inner critic has quietened."

"A very safe way of doing constellations. So helpful in seeing the process of unblending happen spatially."

"I loved the feeling of connection and compassion for other people. Also seeing my parts in other people and feeling the resonance of my own parts in response to other people's process."

"Amazing to see the constellation process at work, and the closeness and empathy that develop in the group."

PRACTICALITIES

Date: Friday 14 August 2026

Timings:

• Arrivals between 9:00 AM and 9:15 AM (refreshments available)
  
• Doors close at 09:30 AM — latecomers will not be admitted
• Lunch hour starts around 1:00 PM
• Workshop ends at 5:30 PM

Venue: Ham Green House, Chapel Pill Lane, Pill, Bristol BS20 0HH

Parking is available at the venue.

If you are coming by public transport, you can catch the X4 bus from Bristol to Pill and get off at the Anchor Inn. It’s then a short ten-minute walk to the centre.

Please bring:

• water bottle and/or flask or lidded-cup for hot drinks
• journal and pen (optionally also pastels and drawing pad, if you wish to bring your own)
• layered clothing (your temperature is likely to vary during the day)
• a cushion plus any other optional comfort items eg slippers, blanket

PRICE (includes lunch)

"Fair Fee" Sliding Scale : I offer a range of prices in order to make my work both sustainable and accessible. If the lowest price remains inaccessible for you, please email info@calmheart.co.uk.

Standard Rate: £135 (+£25 catering - total £160)
This is the actual cost of a full-day event for a small group. If affordable, please choose this rate - especially if attendance is a business expense.

Reduced rate: £90 (+£25 catering - total £120)
A partial subsidy is available if you can't attend at the Standard Rate.

Subsidised Rate: £65 (+£25 catering - total £90)
If the other prices are unaffordable, you are warmly welcome to choose this rate.

Optional Personal Constellation: There are two personal constellations in the day, which have a supplemental fee of £60. One is available to pre-book, for which you need to have attended before (or have IFS training). The second constellation is decided by lottery on the day, open to all attendees.

WHAT ARE IFS CONSTELLATIONS?

Ruth Culver's unique method integrates the popular coaching/therapy modality of IFS (Internal Family Systems) with the somatic group process of Constellations.

Most people are familiar with the word ‘constellation’ in relation to stars, but the dictionary describes it simply as 'a collection of parts'. So for IFS, this means the various parts of us that react in different ways to any situation.

The original group work called Family Constellations was created by Bert Hellinger, since when many other forms have emerged, including Systemic, Corporate, IoPT and Environmental Constellations. (You can read a little more about the differences between my work and some of these other approaches here.)

You may already be familiar with Family Constellations, however IFS Constellations are notably different:

• we explore the internal system of 'parts' (not the external system of family members)
• we use the full healing protocol of IFS (not Hellinger's set-pieces & sentences)

IFS Constellations are also very different from Psychodrama and Sculpting, as these both work with known information, whereas Constellations emerge from mindful observation of somatic experiences in the moment.

The process of participating in a Constellation will be explained fully on the day. It simply involves noticing and naming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations, however many people prefer to participate purely as witnesses and often gain their deepest personal insights this way.

PREPARATION

To get the most out of the day, and benefit both your own and the group experience, it is important that you have a familiarity with IFS in advance. Suitable ways to gain this familiarity include reading "No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwartz (also available as an audiobook), having IFS therapy, attending an online course (eg PESI / IFS Institute's Online Circle / IFS-UK Introductory Day / Life Architect free intro). There are also some excellent podcasts (eg those listed here) to refresh or supplement your familiarity with IFS.

It would also benefit you to have some awareness of the 'polyvagal' theory of the nervous system, as this underlies the workshop content throughout. This is an excellent talk by Seth Porges introducing Polyvagal Theory — or plenty of other options on Youtube if that doesn't suit your learning style. You could also watch Ruth's Youtube Intro to the Survive/Thrive Spiral, which combines IFS and Polyvagal theory.

You do not need to have any prior familiarity with Constellations, however these workshops involve deep emotional exploration in a group and are therefore NOT suitable for those in acute situations, undergoing psychiatric treatment or who currently find it difficult to regulate their emotions.

If you are not sure if the workshop content is for you, please contact Ruth in advance before booking

SELF CARE

• By booking you are making your own personal assessment that you can take emotional care of yourself. If you have any doubts, please contact Ruth to discuss.
• Please ensure you schedule PLENTY of time for rest and integration afterwards. The effects of this work continue to evolve during the days and weeks after a workshop, and taking things gently for 24 hours supports this process.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Ruth Culver is Certified and Level 3 trained in IFS, specialising in somatic, trauma and nervous-system informed integrations. She works individually with adolescents and adults in Brighton UK) as well as being in demand internationally for her experiential online and in-person workshops, trainings and retreats.

Her interest in trauma, attachment and resilience led to the creation of the The Survive/Thrive Spiral infographic, which maps together IFS and Polyvagal Theory. It is used by mental health professionals and individuals across the globe, and can be downloaded free from her website in many languages.

Ruth has also devised two other IFS integrations: Drawing into Self: a method for doing IFS though guided intuitive drawing (for individuals and groups), and IFS Constellations: a method for doing IFS through the somatic group resonance process of constellations.

Ruth is a popular podcast guest and her work has been published in several books and journals, including "Freeing Self : IFS Beyond the Therapy Room" and "The International Journal of Trauma". She has been invited to teach at various institutions including Oxford University, and is currently building a certified training course for Drawing into Self.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If the workshop has to be cancelled you will receive a full refund.
If you have to cancel, please email info@calmheart.co.uk as soon as possible.
A full refund (less a £15 admin fee) is available until 7 days before the workshop.
After that, we will make your returned ticket available for re-sale and issue a refund (less £15 admin) if it sells.

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