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.

Genogram program for mac