The Perinatal Genogram: A Systemic Assessment Tool

The child-bearing years are a time of emotional and psychological vulnerability for most women. Prevalence rates for perinatal illness are as high as 25% depending on the method and timing of assessment. Current perinatal illness assessment tools tend to be symptom-focused, by-passing not only the systemic context within which symptoms present, but also the profound impact on the family system when the new mother is experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder. The following paper addresses the significance of the genogram in providing a broader psychosocial family assessment and de-stigmatizing treatment. A clinical example is provided.