In clinical practice, obtaining information about the patient , the problem for which he or she is coming 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 to be able to work on and contribute to addressing the issues the patient raises, serving as a guide through the process .

Within this information,
understanding the family structure and the type of relationships the subject has with his/her closest environment can greatly help to understand the subject’s current situation. This information is obtained through various methods, and can be recorded in a simple and easily understandable way if a genogram is drawn up.

What is a genogram?

We call a genogram a graphic representation in which general information about the constitution of a family and the interrelations between its members is captured. It is a schematic way of visualizing family patterns and the type of relationships that are established between its members. A genogram reflects all the people that make up the family structure, both those who are still alive and those who have died or become estranged from 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. 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 even originate or contribute to the presence of disorders or problems linked to the reason for the patient’s consultation. This is why it is a tool widely used in clinical practice to analyze family relationships.

So, although the end 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”

Building a genogram

At first glance it may seem that producing a genogram is really fast and uncomplicated. However, in order to produce a meaningful genogram
it is not enough to make a series of interlocking symbols : one must explore and take into account the familiar composition and structure while considering the effect that such relationships can have on the patient. Furthermore, although this is a graphic representation that could be constructed in many different ways, in order to be understandable and make practical sense, a series of symbols and steps have been established.

To start building a genogram, first
the purpose for which the representation is made must be carefully considered. Given that 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 to or linked to the problem. The steps to be taken in the elaboration of the genogram are described below.

1. Construction of the basic structure

At first
the basic structure of the family is outlined. Thus, at this point each of the family members is represented by a figure and the link that unites them from lines that join the components of the system. Basically, a family tree is made centered on the client or patient and his or her closest relatives, generally limited to valuing a total of three generations including that of the aforementioned.

Furthermore, a genogram not only indicates who is part of a family but also
which members of that family live in the same location with the client or patient , for which a dotted line is drawn around all the members of the family living with him. This helps to understand who the client has the highest level of contact with and how this contact affects his/her life.

2. Basic data collection of subjects

Once the structure of the genogram is drawn and the main persons and relationships are represented, it is necessary to understand the functioning of the family
collect various general data .

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For example, the age, educational and socio-occupational level, and the profession of the people close to them can affect the development of the subject, so having these data allows for 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 necessary
observe the type of relationships and the emotional involvement they have , given their importance for the client to interpret interpersonal relationships and even reality.

With this we can observe, among other things, if there are conflicting or very close relationships that serve as a 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 their understanding to know what symbols are used in each situation.

It should be borne in mind that what is symbolized is not only each member 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 what or who is being represented by each of the symbols. Each individual in the family is represented by a single symbol. Specifically, we will use
the outline of a square when we are referring to a man and that of a circle when we are representing a woman . Inside the symbol the current age of the subject will appear if he is alive, above him the year of birth and just below the symbol the name of the individual. When representing the client or patient, the figure that represents him/her is double (that is, a square or circle in the center of another one). If the person being represented is someone who has already died, we will find that the symbol is crossed out, with an X above it.

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

If it is necessary to assess the sexual orientation of a family member in order to understand the reason for the patient’s consultation (e.g. if a person with problems accepting the sexual orientation of a family member comes to the consultation), you can
indicate if the subject belongs to the LGTB collective 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 use and abuse substances such as alcohol and drugs will have half of their symbol painted, horizontally. If the individual has mental problems, the symbol will be half painted, but in this case vertically . If both psychiatric problems and substance abuse are added, three quarters of the symbol will be painted.

Representing family relationships

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

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

The presence of children is symbolized by lines that arise from the union of two people , the line being continuous in the case of biological children and discontinuous if we are dealing with an adopted child. If there is more than one child, they are ordered from left to right according to age.

The presence of brothers presents some characteristics to be taken into account . If we are dealing with twins, the lines that represent the union with the parents will come from the same point. Otherwise, the lines will be born in different points from the one that indicates the link between both parents.

Indicating the type of relationship

The type of structural linkage maintained by family members has been indicated so far, but it is also possible
indicate how this connection is at an emotional level .

Positive and normative relationships will be marked by both being subject to exactly the same height. A distant relationship may be marked by both being subject to different heights, not by both symbols being linked at the same point.
Conflicting relationships will be indicated with zigzag lines , and in case of physical or psychic abuse this situation will be represented with a zigzag line ending in an arrow that will mark in which direction the abuse goes.

An intimate relationship can be indicated from two lines instead of one. while merged relationships will be marked with three lines. Combinations can be made from these constructions.

  • Related article: “Toxic Families: 4 Ways They Cause Mental Disorders”

Bibliographic references:

  • Compañ, V.; Feixas, G.; Muñoz, D. and Montesano, A. (2012)- The genogram in systemic family therapy. University of Barcelona. Departament de Personalitat, Avaluació i Tractament Psicològics. Faculty of Psychology.
  • McGoldrick, M. and Gerson, R. (1985) Genograms in family assessment. Barcelona: Gedisa (3ª ed. 2000).