Genogram Flashcards
individual vs. family, where does individual have its place
-If an overwhelming level of individual pathology is present, still part of subsystem therapy.
-Clinical team is perfect for alternate/coordinated treatments
-Get supervision on this stuff, because you don’t want to be missing something that really does overwhelm the systemic functioning of the family.
genogram legend
- Good _________________
People get along well
Very Good ===============
Two connected lines
Cut-Off ——————–/ /——————–
Enmeshed (three lines on top of each other)
Good, but with blow ups ——–XXXXX————
Up and down line instead of the X’s
Can also have two lines with this one
Conflicted XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Up and down line, not X’s
Distant - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
USE ARROWS »_space;> OR «< IF ONE SIDED
what are you when you are doing a genogram?
You are wearing a different hat. You are a social scientist, not a therapist (at that moment).
being a social scientist
Allowing yourself to just be curious, determine all the players in the family, and get some sense of the connections, allows for systemic interpretation.
-Just trying to gather information
Systemic interpretation is not judgmental.
“Did the divorce lead to a reduction in contact?”
how should you conceptualize a problem
Look for the Most Systemic Conceptualization of the Problem
-One can always refer to individual quickly, but initial conceptualization has to be systemic, if you wish to capitalize on addressing multiple parts of the family.
-Try to think of every issue from a systemic position first
-One can always return to an individual diagnostic issue, if needed.
tools other than a genogram
Time line
-Provides critical periods in client’s history
EcoMap
-Shows all the components of one’s system (family, school, job, friends, congregations)
Problems with GenoPro
-Used different colors and got to be confusing
explain the “double line” on the genogram
Double line, the goal, the Holy Grail
-Where we want people to get to
-You want as many subsystems as possible to have this symbol. There may be the occasional blow-up, which is normal, but you know that this symbol is a consistent goal.
questions to ask about a cordial relationship
-Should this particular relationship be better?
-Is there anything that can shift this to =======?
-Is there any intervention that can keep this relationship from becoming more distant?
things to consider about good relationships with blow ups
-Good relationship with some blow-ups (we need to consider the symbol our estimate).
-These people might be cordial, but anger can rear up (e.g. think new relationship between stepchild and stepparent).
questions to ask about cut off
Cut-off ———-| |————
One question: Is this cut-off inevitable?
-Figure out if it is one that can be addressed
-Is the mutual hate (within dyads and triads) that strong? If yes, look at other issues, with this strictly in the back of your head (not in your notes)
-Is there anyone motivated?
questions to ask with a conflict
-Is the conflict primarily around a specific topic?
-Are there exceptions when the conflict is less?
-Is the conflict mutual?
-Does the conflict seem to be deep seated, or more situational?
-Can those in conflict tolerate working toward improvement?
-Might treatment aggravate the relationship?
questions to ask about distance
-Is the distance mutual?
-Does the distance offer a protective aspect?
-Is either person saddened by the distance?
-Would a structural intervention begin a process of greater connection?
things to consider with an enmeshed relationship
enmeshed means someone cannot do anything without thinking about the effect it will have on another member of the family
-First and foremost, is it cultural.
Ask these questions explicitly:
-“In your culture, is this level of connection pretty typical?”
-Sometimes positive (just because it is culturally normal to be close, but if you do not have a sense of self that is different than another, it is not healthy)
-Supportively close with good differentiation.
-Murray Bowen
-Is it culturally normative?
-Does it create one weaker member?
-What role is played by the enmeshment?
-Is it mutually desired or one-direction?
-Did it evolve out of a true need?
-If so, has that need changed?
what do you do to be a well-functioning team
-Therapists and supervisors have to talk about the dynamics (between themselves and the clients), it is ethically necessary
-Bateson
-Systems are systems. We professionals are now part of their system. We need to be a highly functioning subsystem.
