How to make a genogram in psychotherapy

This therapeutic tool is used to graphically represent family relationships.

In clinical practice, obtaining information about the patient, the problem for which he/she comes to the clinic and the circumstances that surround or may influence it.In clinical practice, obtaining information about the patient, the problem for which he/she comes for consultation and the circumstances that surround this problem or may influence it is a fundamental part of the psychotherapeutic process. The psychologist needs this information in order to be able to work and to contribute to to address the issues raised by the patient, serving as a guide through the psychotherapeutic process..

Within this information, We call genogram to a graphic representation in which the general information about the constitution of a family and the interrelationships among its members are and the interrelationships between its members. It is a schematic way of visualizing family patterns and the type of relationships established among its members. A genogram shows all the people who make up the family structure, both those who are still alive and those who have died or have left the family nucleus. Abortions are also included. Although it generally goes back up to a total of three generations, this may vary according to the type of problem that motivates the consultation with the psychologist.

The genogram not only reflects the family structure, but also serves to visualize the presence of very important and vital events for the subject, such as the birth of a sibling, the death of a relative, a wedding, a divorce or an abortion.the death of a family member, a wedding, a divorce or an abortion. These types of events can greatly mark the human psyche and change the type of relationships that each individual in the family system has, including the client or patient, and can originate or contribute to the presence of disorders or problems related to the reason for the patient's consultation. This is why it is a tool widely used in clinical practice to analyze family relationships.

Thus, although the final result seems simple and straightforward, this type of representations offers a great deal of information. to the professional when it comes to understanding where the patient comes from and how their origins can help explain their present, allowing different strategies and courses of action to be outlined.

• This article may interest you: "The 8 types of families and their characteristics".

Constructing a genogram

At first glance it may seem that building a genogram is really quick and uncomplicated. However, to make a meaningful genogram it is not enough to make a series of symbols. it is not enough just to make a series of interlocking symbolsThe family composition and structure must be explored and taken into account while considering the effect these relationships may have on the patient. Moreover, although it is a graphic representation that could be constructed in many different ways, in order to make it understandable and make practical sense, a series of symbols and steps have been established.

In order to start constructing a genogram, first of all the purpose for which the representation is carried out must be carefully considered.. Since a family may be made up of a large number of people, it is necessary to delimit the type of relationships to be reflected, limiting the representation to those closest or linked to the problem. Let us see below the steps to be taken in the elaboration of the genogram.

1. Construction of the basic structure

First of all the basic structure of the family is sketched out.. Thus, at this point each of the members of the family is represented through a figure and the link that unites them through lines that unite the components of the system. Basically, a family tree is made centered on the client or patient and his or her closest relatives, generally limiting the assessment to a total of three generations including that of the aforementioned.

In addition, a genogram not only indicates who is part of a family but also which members of the family live at the same site with the client or patient. which members of this family live at the same location with the client or patient, for which all family members living with the client or patient are encircled by a dotted line.In addition, a genogram not only shows who is part of a family, but also which members of the family live together at the same location with the client or patient, by drawing a dotted line around all family members living together. This helps to understand with whom the patient has the most contact and how this contact affects his or her life.

2. Basic data collection from subjects

Once the structure of the genogram has been drawn and the main persons and relationships have been represented, it is necessary to understand how the family functions by to collect various general data. 

For example, the age, educational and socio-occupational level and the profession of those close to the subject can affect the subject's development, so that having these data allows a better understanding of the system. It is also useful to know the presence of a history of mental or medical disorders.

3. Marking what type of relationship they have

In addition to knowing who is who and the most basic vital data, it is also necessary to the type of relationships and the emotional involvement they have, given their importance in theGiven their importance for the client's interpretation of interpersonal relationships and even reality, we can observe, among other things, the type of relationships and the emotional involvement they have.

With this we can observe, among other things, if there are conflicting or very close relationships that serve as support or risk factor to promote an improvement or worsening of the patient's situation.

Symbology and its meaning

Apart from the process followed during the construction of the genogram, it is important for its understanding to know which symbols are used in each situation.

It must be taken into account that what is symbolized is not only each of the members of the family, but also the type of bond that unites them to the rest of the components.

Symbolizing people

When analyzing or creating a genogram we have to take into account who or what is being represented with each of the symbols. Each individual in the family is represented with a single symbol. Specifically, we will use the outline of a square when we refer to a man and the outline of a circle when we are representing a woman.. Within the symbol will appear the current age of the subject if he is alive, above it the year of birth and just below the symbol the name of the individual. When representing the client or patient, the figure that represents the client or patient is double (i.e., a square or circle in the center of another). If the person being represented is someone who has already passed away, we will find that the symbol is crossed out, with an X above it.

Other symbols to have are the ones referring to the presence of abortions.. In this aspect we find two symbols depending on whether the termination of pregnancy has been voluntary or accidental: in the first case a small X will be used without crossing out any symbol, while in the case of miscarriage a small circle is used completely painted.

If it is necessary to assess the sexual orientation of one of the family members in order to understand the reason for the patient's consultation (for example, if a subject with problems in accepting the sexual orientation of a family member comes to the consultation), it can be indicated whether the subject belongs to the group of the family member or not. indicate whether the subject belongs to the LGTB group with an inverted triangle inside the symbol indicating his/her sex..

The fact that the symbols are only an outline or are more or less filled in also has certain implications. Subjects who consume and abuse substances such as alcohol and drugs will have half of their symbol painted horizontally. If the individual suffers from mental problems, the symbol will have half of it painted, but in this case vertically.. If both psychiatric problems and substance abuse are added together, three-quarters of the symbol will be painted.

Representing family relationships

Apart from the subjects, the genogram also reflects the type of relationship that each component has with the others. In this sense we also find different representations in the connections between subjects. representations in the connections between subjects.

The marital union between two people is symbolized with a straight and continuous line, the two individuals being at the same height. If two people are in a relationship but are not married, the relationship will be represented by a broken line, also at the same height. If the couple separates, a diagonal bar will cut the line that joins them, marking the year of the breakup. In the case of a divorce we will find two diagonal bars. In the event that a divorced or separated couple later rejoins, the bars marking their separation will be crossed out.

The presence of children is symbolized by lines that arise from the union of two people.The line is continuous in the case of Biological children and discontinuous in the case of an adopted child. If there is more than one offspring, they will be ordered from left to right according to age.

The presence of siblings has some characteristics to take into account. If we are dealing with twins, the lines representing the union with the parents will emerge from the same point. Otherwise, the lines will be born at different points from the one indicating the relationship between both parents.

Indicating the type of relationship

The type of structural relationship between the family members has been indicated so far, but it is also possible to indicate how this relationship is on an emotional level. indicate what this relationship is like on an emotional level.

Positive and normative relationships will be marked when both subjects are at exactly the same level. A distant relationship can be marked with both subjects at different heights, both symbols not being linked at the same point.