Genogram Assignment Instructions (Read First)

Purpose: 

This is a scaffolding assignment to help students understand how a genogram is created and how to use the various symbols to denote family relationships, marital status, family issues, family patterns of mental health & substance abuse. The assignment is a first attempt at creating a limited two-generation genogram of immediate family of origin individuals.

Grading Criteria & Due Date

Assignment due date: 10/18/20 by midnight

This assignment represents 10 of the 100 total points for the Family of origin paper. The 10 points are broken down below: 

• 1 Points: followed all the directions for simple genogram including some detail on individuals in each the genogram?
• 3 Points: Did the student provide information regarding their relationship and connections to family of origin?
• 2 Points: Did the student use symbols reasonably correctly.
• 4 Points: Did the student provide a visual representation of their family of origin providing a clear picture of all aspects of the family unit.

Instructions: 

Download and review the genogram handout to understand the meaning of the symbols: GENOGRAM SYMBOLS.docx Download GENOGRAM SYMBOLS.docx

You are going to do one generation genogram of you, your parents, and siblings. See the picture below as an example. 

To do this, you can simply draw your genogram, take a picture of it, and then submit it.

The other option is to use a program that you can generate a genogram. You will have to print it and submit it as a scanned document for this option. I have listed several websites below. I suggest going to the websites and trying each one out to see if any work for you: 

• GetMind is not made specifically for genograms, but you can create them easily by starting with a new flow chart: GitMind Website Links to an external site.

• Edraw Max is similar to GitMind, but there is an online and downloadable version: Edraw Max Website Links to an external site.

• GenoPro is specifically designed for creating genograms, and it requires a download: GenoPro Website Links to an external site.

What to include in the genogram: 

Once you have your family genogram created, you need to put in 2 or more of the following below: 

• Divorce or separation
• One unique relationship type
  • Close: double line connecting the two people
  • Distant (limited or no contact): dashes connecting the two people
  • Indifferent (have contact but there is a disconnect: dotted line connecting the two people
  • Conflictual (relationship primary interactions are arguments or fights): lightning bolt
  • Estranged (no contact and one or more of the relationship want nothing to do with the other): dashes with a gap in the middle connecting both individuals
  • Any other types of emotional relationships in the genogram handout