As you have been exploring human behavior and the social environment, you have likely increased your awareness of the many biological, psychological, and sociological factors that affect individual be

Tip Sheet for Genogram/Family Tree (R. 5/04)

What is a Genogram/Family Tree? A Genogram/Family Tree is a method of showing relationships between people using a drawing.

Why do we create Genogram/Family Trees? Change is a difficult within a family system. Family patterns are often passed from generation to generation. First, our clients must become aware of the patterns themselves. Genograms are a useful tool in exploring a family system and identifying patterned ways of relating. The time devoted to completing the Genogram/Family Tree is helpful in engaging the client to speak openly with the SSW.

Special Considerations for Protection and Permanency Cases: For Protection and Permanency purposes it is also useful in obtaining names and information about both maternal and paternal relatives. Workers may want to include contact information on the Genogram/Family Tree or take separate notes. If a Genogram is prepared early in a case and it later results in OOHC, it will provide valuable information in seeking absent parent and potential Relative Placement opportunities. Genograms are a required part of the Initial (5-day) Case Plan. They should at least display the immediate family of the identified client(s) and ideally show as much of the extended family as possible.

How to create a Genogram/Family Tree:

1. Introduce the Genogram/Family Tree to your client or family

2. Use Squares for Males, Circles for Females, Triangles for Unborn Children, Miscarriages & Abortions. Connect with lines for relationships.

3. You can begin at the bottom with the client family or the top with the Great Grandparents or oldest know relatives.

4. Ask for as much information as client can provide: birthdays, dates of marriages, divorces or death.

5. For living relatives ask if there was ever a reason I would need to contact him/her how could I reach them (address, phone #)

6. Inquire about themes and family patterns: serial relationships, drug/alcohol dependency, violence, etc.

7. Also look for strengths: lasting marriages, education and cultural ties.

8. Put age inside the symbol and date of birth to the side or off to the side.

9. Use exact dates of marriage, divorce, and separation if available.

10. Put children in order of birth—oldest to the left.

There are several examples attached. These are just examples to assist you. What is provided here is just the basics, there are additional ways to note relationships and use these tools. A definitive resource is the book titled Family-Centered Social Work Practice (copyright September 1983, ISBN: 0029141001) by Ann Hartman and John Laird pioneers in the use of Genograms in family assessment. For thoughts on the use of Genograms please turn to a KY Social Worker’s testimonial and the following web sites:

http://sfhelp.org/pop/geno-full.htm

http://faculty-web.at.northwestern.edu/commstud/galvin/genograms/Basic Genogram Components.htm

http://www.cop.ufl.edu/SAFEZONE/DOTY/kfh/Genogram.pdf

http://www.interpersonaluniverse.net/

http://hhd.csun.edu/williams/340/Genogram Construction on Excel or Word.doc

Example: two spouses each previously married; wife had two children, husband had none; current couple cohabiting without marriage and has jointly one child (all female children).

1

8

4

Married 09-13-86

Divorced 05-10-94

Cohabiting 07-03-97

Married 11-21-87

Divorced 01-16-95

Another example of how a Genogram/Family Tree can constructed uses straight lines rather than the traditional angles.

In this example color can be used to show who is currently residing in the household.

Married 09-13-86

Divorced 05-10-94

Married 11-21-87

Divorced 01-16-95

Cohabiting 07-03-97

1

8

4

This is an example of how a Genogram/Family Tree could look in showing an extended family system.

John Doe, Sr.

11-29-27

John Smith, Divorce

Bob Kline

3-5-67

Leroy

Brown

6-10-62

Leroy Brown, Jr

6-6-01

Bobby Kline

9-9-03

Page 3 of 3