Family Genogram

A genogram is a unique technique that therapist use to explore the family history. Sometimes families do not know where the dysfunction is in the family dynamics until a therapist explain to them using a genogram. When I meet a family, I inform them that I will be conducting a two-part assessment to get to know the family and explore the presenting problem. I let the family know that the second part of the assessment will be discussing the genogram. The thing is, most clients do not know what a genogram is so I will use the word family tree. Clients will at times ask me to explain the process of the genogram and how it relates to the treatment. I tell a lot of my clients that a genogram tells a family story from a three generation perspective.