A genogram is a pictorial display of a person's family relationships and medical history. It is a more in depth version of the traditional family tree. It allows the user to visually see the hereditary patterns and psychological factors that influence relationships. Genograms were originally used in clinical settings and now come into play in many different fields including medicine, psychiatry,
. psychology, social work, genetic research, education and many others. The genogram includes information such as family member names, relationships with each other, where individuals went to school and behaviors such as frequent fighting or history of illnesses. When creating a genogram an individual needs to talk with members of the family to determine what type of information is included. There are several different types of genograms dependent on what traits of relationships a person is interested in. One of the most popular types of genograms is the medical genogram. This version allows a person to see all medical illnesses or abnormalities in their extended family. This is a helpful tool when considering ones own health or issues that may arise. There are many websites available that offer free genogram templates to simplify the process of someone creating their own. One website that offers several different versions is available at www.genopro.com/genogram/templates. Not only does this site offer free templates but it also has an explanation of the rules and guidelines for creating a personal genogram. This is a very helpful tool that enables the user to included the correct and accurate information for their own genogram. Another site that has many examples and downloadable templates is www.genogramtemplate.net. The genogram is a term that is not included in the dictionary as of yet, however, as the concept gains popularity it is sure to soon be added as a term that is used on a regular basis. More Reference Links: www.genopro.com/genogram/templates www.genogramtemplate.net
