Genograms have a long and rich history in family therapy practice, both as an assessment tool and as a tool for reframing problems and their solutions as relational. In this course, Dr. Browning introduces the basic three generation genogram which identifies in pictorial form members of the larger family system and the pivotal events shaping the life of the family and integrates it with a structural map. A detailed symbol legend for describing the qualitative or interactional dimension of relationships between different family subsystems is introduced and demonstrated. A scoring system for quantifying the symbols used in the genogram developed by Dr. Browning and his colleagues, the Genogram Based Interaction Measure, is described as a potentially useful way to assess change in family relationships across treatment. Together, the webinars in this course show how the interactional/relational genogram can be used to construct a systemic case conceptualization that focuses systemic intervention. The course includes a case demonstration in which Dr. Browning conducts a cultural genogram interview, showing how to open and deepen family conversation about strengths, traditions, and experiences with bias in an ethnically diverse, multi-racial family.
This course is designed for intermediate level practitioners. The target audience is behavioral health professionals working with children and adolescents.
Course Objectives
As a result of completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the basic genogram symbol legend and the expanded genogram-based interaction measure.
- Utilize the genogram as a tool in constructing a systemic case conceptualization and focusing systemic intervention.
- Describe roles and methods for conducting a cultural genogram interview.
About the Trainer
Dr. Browning is a professor in the Department of in the Department of Professional Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. He is a noted authority on psychological treatment with stepfamilies, families of homicide, and families on the spectrum. He has published numerous books, chapters and articles on these topics, as well as on the genogram. Dr. Browning is a diplomat in couple and family psychology and is part of the clinical training team of the National Stepfamily Resource Center. In 2017 Dr. Browning was given an award for Distinguished Contributions to Family Psychology by division 43 of the American Psychological Association.
This course uses an online distance-learning self-paced format. It includes recorded audio, recorded video-based webinars, and selected readings. There are post-tests to ensure comprehension of the material. Participants can communicate with the instructors via the online moodle interface. Real-time communication with the instructor in our online, self-paced distance learning courses is not possible. However, participants can send an email to the instructor via the online moodle interface within the course and expect to receive a response within 48 hours. All course content, including post-tests, should take approximately two hours to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our Self-Paced, Online Continuing Education Policies & FAQs for additional information regarding the CFBT online learning center, accommodations for disabilities, reporting problems with the course, instructions for viewing webinars, etc.
