A visual representation used in a therapeutic approach focusing on family organization and dynamics. It’s a diagrammatic method of depicting relationships, boundaries, and hierarchies within a family system. For instance, a clinician might use this method to illustrate a parent-child alliance that excludes the other parent, or to highlight enmeshed relationships between siblings.
This visualization offers several advantages in understanding and addressing familial issues. It enables therapists to quickly assess the family’s structure and identify patterns of interaction that may be contributing to dysfunction. Historically, its development has been closely linked to the evolution of systems theory and its application to family dynamics, leading to more targeted and effective interventions.
