Ecomap and Genogram
What's the Difference?
Two essential tools for family assessment. Learn when to use each, how they complement each other, and create professional genograms with GenogramAI.
What is a Genogram?
A genogram is a graphic representation of a family tree that displays detailed information about relationships, medical history, and emotional patterns across multiple generations. It uses standardized symbols to show family structure, relationship quality, and hereditary patterns.
Genograms are used for:
- Family therapy and counseling
- Medical history documentation
- Identifying multigenerational patterns
- Understanding family dynamics
What is an Ecomap?
An ecomap is a visual diagram showing the social and environmental relationships of an individual or family. It maps connections to external systems like schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, and support networks, showing the strength and quality of each relationship.
Ecomaps are used for:
- Social work case management
- Identifying support systems
- Resource and service planning
- Assessing environmental stressors
Ecomap vs Genogram Comparison
Understanding when to use each assessment tool
Using Ecomaps and Genograms Together
Comprehensive assessment requires both perspectives
While genograms and ecomaps serve different purposes, they're most powerful when used together. A genogram reveals the internal family dynamics—who's connected to whom, what patterns repeat across generations, and where emotional tensions exist. An ecomapshows how that family interacts with the outside world.
Many clinicians create both diagrams during initial assessment. The genogram provides historical context and family structure, while the ecomap identifies current resources and stressors. Together, they create a complete picture of the client's situation.
Combined Assessment Example:
Genogram reveals:
- • History of depression in maternal line
- • Recent divorce of parents
- • Close bond with grandmother
- • Conflicted relationship with sibling
Ecomap reveals:
- • Strong connection to school counselor
- • Stressful relationship with workplace
- • Limited community involvement
- • Healthcare provider relationship weak
Common Symbols
Each tool uses distinct visual language
Genogram Symbols
Ecomap Symbols
Ecomap and Genogram FAQs
What is the difference between an ecomap and a genogram?
A genogram maps internal family relationships, structure, and history across generations. An ecomap maps external relationships between a family/individual and their environment (community resources, organizations, support systems). Genograms look inward at family; ecomaps look outward at environment.
When should I use an ecomap vs a genogram?
Use a genogram when assessing family dynamics, multigenerational patterns, medical history, or emotional relationships within a family. Use an ecomap when identifying support systems, community resources, environmental stressors, or social connections. Many professionals use both together for comprehensive assessment.
Can you combine an ecomap and genogram?
Yes! Many clinicians create a combined ecomap-genogram (sometimes called an eco-genogram) that shows both family relationships and external systems. GenogramAI allows you to create genograms with notes about external relationships and resources.
Who uses ecomaps and genograms?
Both tools are used by social workers, family therapists, counselors, case managers, nurses, and other helping professionals. Ecomaps are particularly common in social work and case management, while genograms are widely used in family therapy and medical settings.
What symbols are used in ecomaps?
Ecomaps use circles to represent external systems (school, work, church, healthcare), with lines showing relationship quality: solid lines for strong connections, dashed for weak, jagged for stressful. Arrows show energy flow direction. Genograms use different symbols for family members and relationship types.
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