Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow a Genogram WorksHistory of GenogramsHow Genograms Are ConstructedHow Are Genograms Used?Benefits of Using GenogramsTips for Using a GenogramWhen to Use a Genogram

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How a Genogram Works

History of Genograms

How Genograms Are Constructed

How Are Genograms Used?

Benefits of Using Genograms

Tips for Using a Genogram

When to Use a Genogram

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A genogram is a visual representation of a family tree that provides important details about the relationships between family members. It can be a helpful tool for understanding the psychological and hereditary factors affecting individuals and families. Genograms utilize symbols to depict characteristics such as gender, relationships, emotions, abuse, diseases, genetic predispositions, and other relevant factors.

At a GlanceGenograms are a visual representation of a person’s family, relationships between members, and medical and mental health histories. It is more in-depth than a family tree because it provides more extensive information about the family and each member. Keep reading to learn more about how genograms work and why they can be useful during therapy.

At a Glance

Genograms are a visual representation of a person’s family, relationships between members, and medical and mental health histories. It is more in-depth than a family tree because it provides more extensive information about the family and each member. Keep reading to learn more about how genograms work and why they can be useful during therapy.

The genogram uses different symbols to represent gender, diagnoses, and connections between various family members. A therapist might use a genogram to help their client see transgenerational patterns or make connections about interactions between their relatives.

If multiple family members are attendingfamily therapytogether, the therapist might use the genogram to gather more information about the family as a whole as well as each individual member.

Clients attendingcouples therapymight use the genogram to identify how various patterns in their families of origin impact their relationship. An individual might also use a genogram to explore their own relationship patterns or to observe howintergenerational traumamight be affecting them.

Original genogram structure relied on heteronormative and cisnormative assumptions about users, such as the assumption that couples consist of one man and one woman. Additionally, genogram symbols included binary transgender individuals but did not offer nonbinary options.

In recent years, researchers have addressed these limitations and expanded genogram symbols to include variousnonbinary identities. Genograms have also begun, including options for ethicallynon-monogamousrelationships. These changes have allowed providers to construct genograms for many different types of families.

Genograms use specific symbols to represent important information about families and individuals.

Relationships

The genogram has symbols that represent gender, and individuals are marked with the corresponding symbol, with lines drawn to represent the family relationships between them.

For example, a married couple’s symbols are positioned next to each other, with a black line connecting them. If the couple isdivorced, the connecting line is red with two lines through it indicating the legal and emotional separation.

Older generations are at the top of the page, with children positioned below parents and lines connecting children to parents to indicate whether the child is biological oradopted.

Medical Information

Each person’s symbol can include marks to represent various diagnoses. These symbols help medical providers identify genetic predispositions to various diseases. Any deceased people on the genogram are marked with an X and their age at the time of their death.

Emotional Relationships

In addition to family relationships and medical histories, the genogram often includes lines representing the emotional relationships between family members, including positive, loving connections as well as tensions, estrangement, and physical,emotional, or sexual abuse.

Genograms Can Evolve Over Time

Although a therapist might craft a genogram as part of anintake sessionto gather background information about their client, genograms often need to be updated over the course of treatment. A client might not feel ready to share certain information at the start of therapy.

They mightremember relevant detailsabout relationships that they disclose later on. A client may also not identify behavior as abusive until they have processed the memory in therapy, which would alter the relationship lines in their genogram.

The genogram is used in many types of family therapy.For example:

Genograms are not limited to a specific therapeutic orientation, however; many different types of therapists use them, and they can help conceptualize a case from multiple clinical perspectives.

Other UsesSome people also craft genograms on their own as a part of exploring their genealogy and family history. Although a family tree is often sufficient for this project, you might choose to map your genogram in order to gather more information about the emotional connections as well as the physical and mental health of your relatives and ancestors.

Other Uses

Some people also craft genograms on their own as a part of exploring their genealogy and family history. Although a family tree is often sufficient for this project, you might choose to map your genogram in order to gather more information about the emotional connections as well as the physical and mental health of your relatives and ancestors.

Genograms can have a number of helpful benefits during the therapy process:

Genograms also help individuals better understand how their upbringing and family dynamics affect their current situation and experiences.

The purpose of the genogram is to gather information and insight about a client’s family history and the relationships and emotional bonds between these family members.

Relationships evolve, and people’s perception of relationships can change as they gain new insight into past interactions. As such, a genogram can be seen as a living document to be updated regularly.

As you and your therapist create your genogram, you might become aware of patterns that you had not previously noticed. You might re-conceptualize things in different ways.

This process can be emotional, so it can help to have strongself-care practicesaround your therapy sessions to manage these emotions. You might also benefit frommindfulness practicesto ensure that you are addressing these emotions rather than ignoring or pushing them down.

If you and your therapist are creating a genogram as part of your first session or very early in treatment, remember that you can disclose information at your own pace. You only have to share information that you feel safe and comfortable sharing, and you can always ask to return to a topic later when you feel ready.

A genogram is a great tool for anyone who wants to further explore the emotional connections and health history of their family. If you are in therapy, the genogram can help your therapist understand your relationships to various family members and see the larger picture of your family unit.

If you are seeking a deeper understanding of your past and how your family relationships might be impacting your emotions and other relationships in your life, a genogram might be a helpful tool for you on this journey.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cuartas Arias JM.Genogram: Tool for exploring and improving biomedical and psychological research.Int J Psychol Res (Medellin). 2017;10(2):6-7. doi:10.21500/20112084.3177Barsky AE.Sexuality- and gender-inclusive genograms: avoiding heteronormativity and cisnormativity.Journal of Social Work Education. 2022;58(2):379-389.Eshtehardi KK, Gasbarrini MF.Genogram in couple and family therapy. In: Lebow JL, Chambers AL, Breunlin DC, eds.Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer International Publishing; 2019:1281-1287. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_351Browning S, Hull R.Treating multidimensional presenting problems with a mutually integrative approach using the genogram.Family Process. 2019;58(3):656-668. doi:10.1111/famp.12470Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy.Chapter 4—Integrated Family Counseling To Address Substance Use Disorders. [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2020. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 39.)

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cuartas Arias JM.Genogram: Tool for exploring and improving biomedical and psychological research.Int J Psychol Res (Medellin). 2017;10(2):6-7. doi:10.21500/20112084.3177Barsky AE.Sexuality- and gender-inclusive genograms: avoiding heteronormativity and cisnormativity.Journal of Social Work Education. 2022;58(2):379-389.Eshtehardi KK, Gasbarrini MF.Genogram in couple and family therapy. In: Lebow JL, Chambers AL, Breunlin DC, eds.Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer International Publishing; 2019:1281-1287. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_351Browning S, Hull R.Treating multidimensional presenting problems with a mutually integrative approach using the genogram.Family Process. 2019;58(3):656-668. doi:10.1111/famp.12470Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy.Chapter 4—Integrated Family Counseling To Address Substance Use Disorders. [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2020. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 39.)

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Cuartas Arias JM.Genogram: Tool for exploring and improving biomedical and psychological research.Int J Psychol Res (Medellin). 2017;10(2):6-7. doi:10.21500/20112084.3177Barsky AE.Sexuality- and gender-inclusive genograms: avoiding heteronormativity and cisnormativity.Journal of Social Work Education. 2022;58(2):379-389.Eshtehardi KK, Gasbarrini MF.Genogram in couple and family therapy. In: Lebow JL, Chambers AL, Breunlin DC, eds.Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer International Publishing; 2019:1281-1287. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_351Browning S, Hull R.Treating multidimensional presenting problems with a mutually integrative approach using the genogram.Family Process. 2019;58(3):656-668. doi:10.1111/famp.12470Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy.Chapter 4—Integrated Family Counseling To Address Substance Use Disorders. [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2020. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 39.)

Cuartas Arias JM.Genogram: Tool for exploring and improving biomedical and psychological research.Int J Psychol Res (Medellin). 2017;10(2):6-7. doi:10.21500/20112084.3177

Barsky AE.Sexuality- and gender-inclusive genograms: avoiding heteronormativity and cisnormativity.Journal of Social Work Education. 2022;58(2):379-389.

Eshtehardi KK, Gasbarrini MF.Genogram in couple and family therapy. In: Lebow JL, Chambers AL, Breunlin DC, eds.Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer International Publishing; 2019:1281-1287. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_351

Browning S, Hull R.Treating multidimensional presenting problems with a mutually integrative approach using the genogram.Family Process. 2019;58(3):656-668. doi:10.1111/famp.12470

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy.Chapter 4—Integrated Family Counseling To Address Substance Use Disorders. [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2020. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 39.)

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