Family Genogram Essay

Creating a family genogram is a way to visualize and understand the family system. Genograms show relationships, patterns, and family history. Genograms help us to understand our family and the effects of different situations. Genograms are a way for social workers to learn more about their clients such as the roots to some of their issues. I have always been close with my mother’s side of the family. I spend every holiday and birthday with them. When I was four years old my parents got divorced. My father became incarcerated around the same time and became absent from my life. Once I was nineteen I gained contact with my father again. We were very close at first, but we do not see each other much now. Looking back on it now, the divorce and separation from my father affected me tremendously and shaped who I am as a person. As a child it was understood that we did not talk about my dad, therefore, I did not get many answers on where he was, or why he left until I was older. I feel this gave me a lot of anxiety and sadness as a child, the anxiety is still with me today. I have learned from this and tell myself if I …show more content…
I have learned that the family system is what makes us who we are as people. The genogram made me aware of different patterns in the family, and how they are generational. The genogram assignment helped me self-reflect on what I have been through in my lifetime. Although I feel I do not have anything that will negatively affect my ability to work with families, I now know what I may be sensitive to. With that said, when I am working in the field, I will be conscious of my sensitivities and be sure I am competent enough to work through them. A challenge I may face is feeling too much for clients who have been through similar situations. I feel as a social worker, I will be able to keep my own experiences to myself and help others get through their experiences at the same