family genogram

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Family Genograms

Bridgett J. Washington

School Of Counseling and Human Services, Walden University

66726 couples and Family Counseling

Dr. Barb Andrews

July 3, 2023

In the process of thinking about how I would come up with information on three generations, it was a lot at first. My family is not that big on either side of my family. My Family Genogram will display three generations, including my grandparents, parents, sibling, child, and grandchild. On the diagram, I included shapes that will represent the person as a female or Male instead. A triangle will present the person as the child. I decided to include instead whether they were alive or deceased.

If I had to describe what type of parents I have in one word, it would be ‘Structured.” My father was Military, and he did everything promptly and orderly. My father also was a contractor who could turn a shack into a mansion. My mother was an officer for many years until she finished college and became a counselor for 32 years. My Grandmother on my mother’s side was an RN who worked hard and loved what she did. My grandfather, who was her husband, had retired from the military, and then he began as a longshoreman until he retired from there. My mother’s parents believed in working hard, saving, and having something that one day they would leave an inheritance for their children. On the other hand, I really did not know my father’s parents. They lived on a farm with plenty of land where my grandmother was a stay home wife, and my Dad’s Father drove trucks.

If I had to examine myself and ask myself where I stand and what position I hold in my family, honestly, I could not say. I know that I am playing a positive role. My family’s women are go-getters and hard workers; we do not give up. According to my mother, when I was born, she said that I came out as a fighter. Thankfully I never experienced any sickness, and I was a healthy child. When I was born, my father was overseas. My Maternal grandmother was there with my mother at the time of my birth, and my auntie, my mom’s sister. My family has always been close and has stood by one another in the most challenging and difficult times.

When my mom became pregnant with me, she had a friend in college that gave her the idea to name me Bridgett. “Bridgett” means the exalted one. My mom often shared with me about a movie or story called “The Diary of a Black Woman.” I never had any nicknames, nor do I have a middle name. I always wonder why my mother did not give me a middle name. When asked, she said all you needed was a first and last name.

When I became married, I married at an earlier age, 22 years, as my mother and both sides of my grandparents did. I stayed married for about 20 years until it ended in divorce. Staying married to the same person is something I did not inherit from my grandparents. I later married after 2/12 years of divorce and plan to ride this marriage out. Back in the olden days, grandparents did not get divorced, or even if things were rocky, they road it out until the end.

Now that I am older, I think about life daily because life is short, and tomorrow is not a promise. I want to enjoy my husband and continue to build my career. I want to enjoy my granddaughter and see where life takes her. My desire is to open reentry housing for inmates that can’t find housing or neither do they have any place to live. I want to have a counseling business where I can help those who are transitioning back into society.

I have attributes of my mother and Father. My Brother also has a heart of goals and loves to help people as well. My parents and grandparents always express that everything is worth working hard for. Many people express to me that I not only look like my mother but also have her drive and seem to be following in her footsteps. I can really see how family dynamics can really trigger down to generation.

A genogram can give your insight into the many different things that have happened in your family, such as negative family dynamics and family struggles like divorce, death, and broken relationships. It also can help you understand why these things might have happened. Unfortunately, I have been blessed in my family not to have experienced any types of addictions or brokenness or divorce from my parents or grandparents. My family was a family of faith, prayer, and people who put God First. Having a spiritual background builds a foundation and helps many cope and handle circumstances.

If I had to explain how my Family Genogram would impact my professional work, I would say the impact would be positive. I came from a family that was honest people, hard-working, and had empathy and compassion for others. The teaching and talking have taught me a lot and helped me along the way with my journey. The attributes and counseling tools I gain will help me conceive more knowledge and better ways to help others.

The ability to survive and flourish reflects how people can teach and learn from one another. I have learned a great deal thus far and will continue to flourish to become the best counselor I can be. By applying the necessary tools, meeting the client where they are in their own circumstance, and guiding them in a positive direction, I will be okay in my professional career.

References

Shellenberger, S., Dent, M. M., Davis-Smith, M., Seale, J. P., Weintraut, R., & Wright, T. (2007).  Cultural genogram: A tool for teaching and practiceLinks to an external site. .  Families, Systems, & Health, 25(4), 367–381. doi:10.1037/1091-7527.25.4.367

Sperry, L. (2010).  Culture, personality, health, and family dynamics: Cultural competence in the selection of culturally sensitive treatmentsLinks to an external site. .  The Family Journal, 18(3), 316–320. doi:10.1177/1066480710372129