How to Draw an Ecomap
An ecomap is a tool used by therapists and social workers to depict relationships between family members and other people in their environment. Using lines and shapes, it shows the sex of the person depicted and the strength, quality and impact of the relationships of the people involved. This visual representation gives the family and the social worker a stronger understanding of the relationships that matter for the family.
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Instructions
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Draw a large circle in the middle of the map. This represents the members of the household. Inside this circle draw figures representing your family: circles for females and squares for males. Inside these circles write names and ages. Place the parents above the children, like a family tree. Place an "X" through those members no longer living.
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Connect the parental figures with a horizontal line representing their relationship. Draw a solid line for a healthy relationship, a line with one slash through it for a separated couple and a line with two slashes through it for a divorced couple. For an intense relationship, draw three connecting lines between them and for a strained relationship draw a squiggly line between them.
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3
Connect the children to the parents with vertical lines, using the same lines to indicate the type of relationship they have. For example, if Johnny has an intense relationship with his father, you would connect them with three lines. You may also connect the siblings as well to make it more clear how the family interacts.
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Draw smaller circles outside the family circle to represent outside forces and label them. These forces may include church, extended family, school, friends, health care, neighbors, employment and other significant relationships.
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Connect these outside forces to individuals in the family or to the household as a whole. Again, use the corresponding lines to indicate the health and strength of the relationship. To make this more explicit, add arrows to indicate the flow of relationship. For example, if Johnny feels negatively toward his friends, draw a squiggly line with an arrow from Johnny pointing to the friends.
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