Genogrm Response - summary of a genogram PDF

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Th e r ea r ema n yt o o l sa v a i l a bl et oa s s e s sf a mi l yhi s t or ya n dd yn a mi c sd u r i n gf a mi l yt h e r a p y , h o we v e r ,ma n ya r ec o mp l e xa ndt i me c o ns u mi n gt oc o mp l e t e .Th eg e n o g r a mi sar e l a t i v e l y s i mp l e ,n on i n t r u s i v e ,e a s i l yu p d a t e dt o o lwh i c hpr o v i d e saq u i c kr e f e r e n c ef o rc o mp l e xp a t t e r n s o fr e l a t i o n s h i p s .Th eg e no gr a m,o rf a mi l yt r e e ,i sa“ c l i n i c a lme t h o do ft a ki n g ,s t or i n g ,a n d p r oc e s s i n g ”r e l a t i o n s h i pi n f or ma t i o n( Ro v e r s ,2 0 0 4 ) .Theg e n o gr a mc a nbeu s e da sas o u r c eo f a s s e s s me n ta n dh y p o t h e s i sf o rt h e r a p y .Th i st o o lc a nh e l pr e v e a lme mo r i e so fc h i l d h oo d r e l a t i o n s h i pswi t hp a r e n t s ,t o g e t h e rwi t hc u r r e nta t t a c h me n tp a t t e r n s ,t os h o wr e c u r r i n g r e l a t i o n s h i pp a t t e r n s .Th efle xi b i l i t yo ft heGe n og r a mp r o c e s sa l l o wst h ec l i n i c i a nt oma k ebe t t e r a s s e s s me n t so fa l lf a mi l yme mb e r sa n dp r o v i d e sa ne x c e l l e n to v e r v i e wo ft h ef a mi l ys y s t e m, a t t a c h me ntp a t t e r n s ,f a mi l yb e l i e fa n dv a l ues y s t e ms( Ro v e r s ,2 0 04 ) .Ge n o gr a msc a ni l l u s t r a t e a t t a c h me ntp a t t e r n swh e t h e re n me s h e do rc u t o ff,o rt h ea t t a c hme n tp o s s i b i l i t i e st h a tl i eb e t we e n t h et wo .Ge n o gr a msc a na l s oi l l u s t r a t eg e n e r a t i o n a lf a mi l yp a t t e r n s ;t h i si sp a r t i c ul a r l yu s e f u l wh e na t t e mp t i n gt ou n de r s t a n dc u r r e ntf a mi l yd y n a mi c s ,v a l u e sa n db e l i e f s ,me d i c a lc o nd i t i o n s a n dme n t a lh e a l t hi s s u e s .TheGe n o gr a mp r o c e s sc a na s s i s tp a t i e n t st ou nd e r s t a n dt h e ms e l v e s b e t t e r ,un d e r s t a n dt h e i rf a mi l yo for i g i nba s ef r omwh e r et he i rp a t t e r nsi ni t i a t e da n dt h e r e f o r e h e l pt he mt ob ea na c t i v ep a r t i c i p a n ti nt h e i rh e a l i n g( Alexander, Callaghan and Fellin, 2018). Ac c o r d i n gt oMc Gl o d r i c k ,t heg e n o gr a mi sb o t hat h e r a p e u t i ci n t e r v e nt i ona n dpa r to ft hep r o c e s s o fc o u n s e l l i n g( Mc Gl o d r i c k ,2 0 08 ) . Dr. McGoldrick, as part of using a family systems approach, demonstrated the effective use of using a Genogram to assist her in understanding the current family dynamics and the generational family history and issues. This included information in medical conditions, mental health issues and overall values and beliefs and helps to evaluate the family from a multi-generational perspective. Dr. McGoldrick was able to put together a comprehensive history of the family which provided a thorough history of the family she was working with and was instrumental to the therapeutic process. I plan to use this tool in my practice, although I recognize it is difficult to do in the amount of time allocated for seeing patients, However, I believe it to be an excellent way in which to gather insight into your patient, their family history, their relationships and any issues relating to them, as well as medical history. I have done genograms in past courses, however, when completing it this time, I made sure to include more information. It was an interesting and enlightening experience. I spoke to my parents and aunts/uncles to gain information on their generation and previous generations. Both of my parents are first generation Irish Americans, their parents having come to the United States from Ireland following WWI. Both of my maternal and paternal grandparents came from very large families and many of their siblings stayed in Ireland (Waterford) where their descendants now lived, and from the two families not many immigrated to America. Interestingly in the extended family history, on my mother’s side, is a history of what can now be seen as OCD. It manifested in my mother with her being a “neat freak” and very organized (a trait I share). Unfortunately, when my son was in 8 th grade, he started demonstrating OCD

like behaviors, although they were extreme and very concerning (constant praying, refusing to eat, rituals etc).I knew immediately what these were behavior were symptomatic of but didn’t appreciate the family history at the time. Thankfully, he was treated and now (he’s 22) experiences no symptoms. He was treated with Zoloft starting with 50 mg daily and going up to 100mg; his symptoms completely disappeared within three weeks. He remained on the medication for a year and then it was discontinued. I was amazed with the change in his behavior; his psychiatrist explained that Zoloft is the treatment of choice for adolescents and that “it either works or it doesn’t”. This was another example to me of the power of medication that is thoughtfully and purposefully used.

References Alexander, J. H., Callaghan, J. E., & Fellin, L. C. (2018). Genograms in research: Participants’ reflections of the genogram process. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1-21. doi:10.1080/14780887.2018.1545066 McGoldrick, M. (2008). Re-visioning family therapy: Race, culture, and Gender in clinical practice, 2nded. New York: Guildford Press: p. 37-38.

Rovers, M. (2004). Family of Origin Theory, Attachment Theory and the Genogram: Developing a New Assessment Paradigm for Couple Therapy. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 3(4), 43–63. https://doiorg.ezproxy.monmouth.edu/10.1300/J398v03n04pass:[_]03...