McGoldrick Ch. 9 - Clinical Uses of the Genogram

Question 1

function of genogram interview

Answer 1

organizes questioning around key family life experiences: birth, marriage, life transitions, illness, and death.

Question 2

addressing loss and trauma

Answer 2

loss is probably the issue around which families become blocked more than any other.

Question 3

clarifying family patterns

Answer 3

clarifying family patterns is at the heart of genogram usage.

serves an important educational function for family members, allowing them to see their lives and behavior as connected to family history. in addition, dysfunctional behavior is often eliminated, once the family patterns that underlie it are clarified and brought into the open.

Question 4

reframing and detoxifying family issues

Answer 4

families develop particular ways of viewing themselves. when there are many problems, family members’ perspectives often rigidify and become resistant to change. genograms are an important too for reframing behavior and relationships, and for detoxifying and normalizing the family’s perception of itself. suggesting alternative interpretations of the family’s experience opens up new possibilities for the future.

Question 5

using genograms to draw forth resilience and to design interventions

Answer 5

genogram patterns may be used strategically to convey a positive understanding of the present dysfunctional situation, paradoxically challenging the rigidity of the present stabilization. as changes occur, genogram information can again be used to reinforce emerging patterns and to underline the normative evolution of the family.

a major therapeutic task is to empower clients to bear witness to their family’s losses and to develop a sense of survivorship, meaning, mastery, and continuity. see their family in context

Question 6

family patterns, significant events, concurrent life stresses, cultural issues

Answer 6

non-complementary sibling position (power struggle)
anniversary reactions
multi-generational triangles
imbalance btwn over-functioners and under-functioners
patterns
finances
cultural issues (e.g., responsibility to family)
concurrent loss