The family genogram is an invaluable assessment tool for couples and family counselors. It allows the counselor to visualize important relationships and experiences in the family system in order to gain a better understanding of that system. With this additional insight, couples and family counselors can apply methods and interventions that are specifically tailored to the client’s family system.
For this Assignment, you will be constructing your own personal family genogram. Creating a genogram for your family provides two invaluable benefits. It allows you to become acclimated with the tools and interview techniques used to create a family genogram. It also provides you with insight into the issues, interactions, and history you have within your family system. You can reflect on the assessment and consider how those personal and family issues may affect your work as a counseling professional.
To Prepare:
Review the Optional Learning Resources for this week to become familiar with the symbols and information included in a genogram.
Assignment:
Create a genogram for your family of origin including three generations(your siblings, parents, parent’s siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.).
Include family dynamics, communication styles, mental/physical health, boundaries and family patterns and include a master key to the genogram. Birth dates, or ages, help provide context, so please provide as much detail as you can. You can use pseudonyms or initials in place of names, both in the paper and on the genogram, to protect your family’s privacy.The genogram is drawn by hand, photographed, and submitted in addition to your three-page summary.
Include a three-page summary of the genogram you created by describing the roles and patterns that emerge in it, using concepts from the systems theories that are discussed in the previous week’s Learning Resources (relationship dynamics, boundaries, communication styles, mental/physical health etc.).
Considering the observations and insights you’ve identified in your assessment of your family system, explain how genograms may be useful in couples and family counseling.
Reflecting on what you’ve learned from this assignment, briefly explain how your understanding of your own family genogram might impact your work as a professional counselor.
Your final document will be in APA 7 standard format for student papers (See Section 2.2 of the APA 7 manual) and will include a title page, your 3–4-page summary and analysis of your genogram, the genogram itself, and a reference page.
REFERENCES TO SELECT FROM
Capuzzi, D., Stauffer, M. D., & Erber, N. (2021). Variations in family systems and family life cycles. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.). Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed., pp. 3–18). Wiley & Sons.
Fife, S., & Whiting, J. (2007). Values in family therapy practice and research: An invitation for reflectionLinks to an external site.. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 29(1/2), 71–86. doi:10.1007/s10591-007-9027-1
Zazzario, A.S., Shelton, D. & Haley, M. (2021). Legal, ethical, and professional issues. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.). Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed., pp. 84-99). Wiley & Sons.
Bass, B. A., & Quimby, J. L. (2006). Addressing secrets in couples counseling: An alternative approach to informed consentLinks to an external site.. The Family Journal, 14(1), 77–80. doi:10.1177/1066480705282060
Butler, M. H., Rodriquez, M.-K. A., Olson Roper, S., & Feinauer, L. L. (2010). Infidelity secrets in couple therapy: Therapists’ views on the collision of competing ethics around relationship-relevant secretsLinks to an external site.. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 17(2), 82– 105. doi:10.1080/10720161003772041
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Fridhandler, B., & Lehmer, M. (2014). Ethical issues in coparent counselingLinks to an external site.. Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, And Practices, 11(2), 139–158. doi:10.1080/15379418.2014.921590
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Sherbersky, H. (2012). Family therapy and fundamentalism: One family therapist’s exploration of ethics and collaboration with religious fundamentalist familiesLinks to an external site.. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 21(3) 381–396. doi:10.1177/1359104515620249
Sori, C. F., & Hecker, L. L. (2015). Ethical and legal considerations when counselling children and familiesLinks to an external site.. Australian And New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 36(4), 450–464. doi:10.1002/anzf.1126
Canfield, B. (2021). Diversity and intercultural work in family counseling. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.). Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed., pp. 47-59). Wiley & Sons.
Sperry, L. (2010). Culture, personality, health, and family dynamics: Cultural competence in the selection of culturally sensitive treatmentsLinks to an external site.. The Family Journal, 18(3), 316–320. doi:10.1177/1066480710372129
Sperry, L. (2011). Culturally, clinically, and ethically competent practice with individuals and families dealing with medical conditionsLinks to an external site.. The Family Journal, 19(2), 212–216. doi:10.1177/1066480711400560
Shannon, P. J. (2014). Refugees’ advice to physicians: How to ask about mental healthLinks to an external site.. Family Practice, 31(4), 462–466. doi:10.1093/fampra/cmu017
RiGazio-DeGilio, S., & Kang, H. (2021). Using community genograms to position culture and context in family therapy. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.). Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed., pp. 23-44). Wiley & Sons.
Kim-Appel, D., & Appel, J. K. (2021). Bowenian family systems theory: Approaches and applications. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.). Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed., pp. 149-168). Wiley & Sons.
Nguyen, H. N., Grafsky, E. L., & Munoz, M. (2016). The use of ecomaps to explore sexual and gender diversity in couplesLinks to an external site.. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 27(4), 308–314. doi:10.1080/08975353.2016.1235433
Platt, L. F., & Skowron, E. A. (2013). The family genogram interview: Reliability and validity of a new interview protocolLinks to an external site.. The Family Journal, 21(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480712456817
Shellenberger, S., Dent, M. M., Davis-Smith, M., Seale, J. P., Weintraut, R., & Wright, T. (2007). Cultural genogram: A tool for teaching and practiceLinks to an external site.. Families, Systems, & Health, 25(4), 367–381. doi:10.1037/1091-7527.25.4.367
Taylor, E. R., Clement, M., & Ledet, G. (2013). Postmodern and alternative approaches in genogram use with children and adolescentsLinks to an external site.. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 8(3), 278–292. doi:10.1080/15401383.2013.821928
(You can include additional findings/ references)
