Or directly drag and drop images and screenshots or attach relevant documents to each shape.įamiliarize yourself with genogram symbols and decide which ones to use for different family members and relationships. Creately tip: Use sticky notes and the integrated notes panel to write down information.Here are the basic steps to create a genogram: Gather information:Ĭollect relevant information about your family members, including names, dates of birth, and any additional details you want to include, such as medical conditions or significant life events. Making a genogram is a relatively straightforward process. Here are some common genogram symbols and their meanings: When creating or interpreting a genogram, provide clear explanations and use key symbols consistently for better understanding and communication. It’s important to note that genogram symbols can vary slightly depending on the conventions used by different professionals or cultural contexts.
Medical genogram: Focuses on health-related information, such as illnesses and genetic factors that run in the family.Įmotional genogram: Emphasizes the emotional relationships, communication styles, and behavior patterns within the family.Ĭultural genogram: Explores the cultural and ethnic background of the family, including traditions and values.Ĭareer genogram: A career genogram is a specialized type of genogram that focuses on mapping and exploring the career paths, achievements, and influences within a person’s family. Standard or family genogram: This is the most common type of genogram, which includes basic information about family members such as names, dates of birth, and relationships. There are various types of genograms that can be used to explore different aspects of a person’s family dynamics. Personal growth and self-reflection: It can be a helpful tool for personal growth, understanding relationships, and exploring the impact of one’s upbringing. Research: To study family systems, hereditary traits, and the impact of relationships on individual well-being.Įducation: In education, genograms help students understand their own backgrounds and promote self-reflection. Social work and family services: In social work genograms are used to guide interventions and develop effective strategies to address family issues.
Medical and healthcare settings: To gain insight into patients' health history, genetic predispositions, and potential risk factors to make more informed diagnosis and treatment decisions. Therapy and counseling: As a diagnostic tool in client counseling, genogram help to explore family patterns, unresolved issues, and better understand the clients' emotional well-being. Genograms can be used in various situations to gain a deeper understanding of family dynamics and relationships. They remain an important part of therapy, family assessments, and research. Nowadays, there are genogram software and digital tools available to make creating and sharing genograms easier. They help professionals assess patterns across generations, uncover hidden influences, and identify systemic issues. Since then, genograms have become widely used in fields like psychology, social work, healthcare, and research. This allowed them to explore the interconnectedness of family members and identify influential factors that shape individual experiences. McGoldrick and Gerson expanded on the concept of family trees by including additional information such as emotional relationships, behavioral patterns, and significant life events. Genograms were introduced in the 1970s by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson as a visual tool for understanding families. Unlike a standard family tree, a genogram includes additional information such as medical history, emotional relationships, and social interactions.īy examining the interplay of genetics, behaviors, and social factors across multiple generations, genograms provide valuable insights into a person’s background, emotional health, and overall well-being.