These lines can be used to connect any two people on the genogram. Emotional RelationshipsĮmotional relationships are depicted with a line directly connecting two gender symbols (different from family relationship connections, where the line is beneath them). Each of these symbols can be placed over any type of line (for example, the "separated" symbol could be placed over the "committed relationship" line or the "marriage" line). Men should always appear on the left, and women on the right.ĭescriptive symbols, which are placed on top of the family relationship line, give more detail about the relationship's status. Family Relationshipsįamily relationships are depicted by two gender symbols connected by a line beneath them. Men are depicted by a square and women are depicted by a circle. You can include more generations if they are relevant to treatment, but any less will make the genogram significantly less helpful. Worksheet Tip: Try to include at least three generations when you create a genogram. We suggest including one of these printouts with any copies of genograms you share with clients. We've also created a genograms symbol sheet for you to keep handy, and to share with clients. This will allow you to look at a genogram from any client-even those you don't know as well-and still glean useful information about their family. It isn't a big deal what symbols you use, as long as you are consistent. Other rules and symbols used in genograms differ depending on who you ask, or what reference you use. Some of these rules and practices have been standardized, and should be followed so future readers can understand your documentation. Genograms use a combination of special rules and symbols to depict a lot of information about families as succinctly as possible. As a clinician, this bias must be taken into account when using genograms during therapy. Everyone will interpret their family's relationships at least a little bit differently, and that's OK. Tip: It's worth noting that genograms are written through the lens of their creator. Maybe you've already noticed a trend of marital trouble in a family's history, but a genogram can highlight the pattern of aloofness and anger that's at the root of those marital problems. Patterns that are usually hard to decipher seem to jump out once they've been mapped on paper. For example, a family tree might show us that "Emily and Kevin are married", while a genogram could tell us that "Emily and Ken are married, but they are emotionally distant from one another".Ī genogram becomes most valuable when it includes information about several generations. Imagine a genogram as a family tree with much more detail about how the family members interact with one another. A genogram includes information about relationships and interactions between family members, while a family tree only depicts lineage. What is a Genogram?Ī genogram is structurally similar to a family tree, but serves a very different purpose. Genograms set the foundation for nurturing generational strengths and overcoming weaknesses. They bring a family's strengths and weaknesses out into the open. Genograms provide a way for us to examine these patterns. Other times, unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving are passed down socially, through example. Sometimes there's a genetic predisposition to addiction or depression. Other times, more insidious traits can be passed through generations. Or, they can be mostly insignificant, like a cowlick and green eyes from one's grandfather. The things that are passed down can be beautiful or valuable, like stories, culture, knowledge, and belongings. Every generation, families pass a piece of themselves to their kin.
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