Table of Contents
A genogram template is a tool used to draw and synthesize information about the family of somebody. It I similar to a family tree but it pays attention to more specific aspects of family ties. It has a much more technical appearance.
What is a Genogram?
A genogram is a graphical representation of the important information at least three generations. It contains details about its structure, the demographics of the members, and the relationships among them. About an individual’s sudden environment, it is used to gather and organize information. This acts as an input for clinical or educational intervention. Moreover, it is instrumental in;
- Finding models of hereditary problems
- Inter or intra-generational conflicts
- Behaviors transmitted by the environment
What does genogram present?
The genogram presents the effort of successful or unsuccessful conversion of the members of this system to their context of life. It indicates us that what impacts one part of the system also affects the rest. It also expresses that the position of the person in this whole affects the relationships and behaviors of the next generation.
By including the past to the present, the genogram makes the members of a family able to see themselves from a more global angle. It provides us important keys to determine and understand the nature of impasses. Furthermore, it assists people in reacting and reorganizing their lives, their relationships, and corrects some of their behaviors.
3 steps to develop a genogram:
A genogram is made in three steps that are as follows;
- Organize the family structure.
- Gathering important information about a person’s family.
- A general overview of family relationships.
Step-by-step guide for making a genogram template:
Let us discuss step-by-step how to create a genogram template;
The purpose of the genogram:
At first, define what the purpose of the genogram is. It gives information about a person’s history and family environment. You can use this information for different purposes. The data you received is beneficial for medical purposes. Family history is a genetic history. This helps you in visualizing inherited physical strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the genogram also gives valuable information about emotional issues.
The number of generations to determine:
It is important to check the work realistically. Usually, three generations are taken as basis but this is not always possible. There are some families in which a whole generation has vanished. There is no contact with the members of those families. In some cases, the contact you have with different generations is not direct. This means you just receive information about a parent. You should make a list of living relatives who you can contact. Next, make a make a list of new people. In the end, explain how many generations the genogram will cover.
Make a guide questionnaire to gather information:
This is the most important step. It is closely relatable to the defined goal. To develop a genogram, you have to make a series of questions that act as a guide to collect the important information.
To gather demographic information, it should include a set of basic questions. Then, for deepening the specificities of each member of the family, there should be a group of questions. Finally, it is important there must be a group of questions.
Collect information in the field:
All genograms don’t have the same level of depth, some may give the most visible elements and others may go into one or more aspects.
Collect documentary information:
The things like letters photographs, videos, and any family document is proved to be very relevant. You can also find necessary information on an identity document, purchase and sale contract, or a medical prescription.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a genogram template is an effective tool that provides you visual representation of the family structure of an individual quickly. It allows you to draw up the genealogical tree of a family. You just need three main things for making genogram i.e. structure, individual data, and relationships among people.
