Community Genograms: Using Individual, Family, and Cultural Narratives with Clients

by Sandra A. Rigazio-DiGilio, Allen E. Ivey, Lois T. Grady

The graphic representation of client experience has long been acknowledged as an invaluable therapeutic tool. In this pragmatic book, the authors have brought the use of the most widely used graphic device―the family genogram―into the wider context of community and culture, to help counselors and therapists better understand individuals and families-in-context. For clinicians as well as clients, the community genogram is a practical and versatile tool that places emphasis on the positive strengths and resources that can be brought to bear in the therapeutic process.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2005

Reviews

[Daniel Seifert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tool for helping clients and families to generate a identify strengths from their families and communities. The text provides practical process to assist client with the development of a visual representation of his/her community that represents broad culture and community, nuclear and extended family, most influential groups. It further promotes interventions for indicating focus on the most influential groups with aim to search for images and narratives of strength while providing a frames of reference to help client see self-in-context that can be used as a foundation for exploring challenging areas of their lives.