Comparison guide
Ecomap vs. genogram
Both are visual clinical assessment tools — but they map different things. Here's how to tell them apart and when to use each.
Ecomap
Maps a person or family's relationship to the surrounding social systems in the present.
- Direction
- Outward — from the person into the surrounding world
- Time orientation
- Present — the current ecological context
- What it shows
- Which systems exist, the quality of each connection, and the direction of resource or energy flow
- Notation
- Hartman (1975) — circles for systems, line styles for connection quality, arrows for energy flow
- Primary use
- Ecological assessment, case management, identifying isolation and strengths
- Tool
- Ecomap Creator (this app)
Genogram
Maps family structure, relationships, and health history across multiple generations.
- Direction
- Backward and lateral — through generations and across family branches
- Time orientation
- Historical — spans multiple generations
- What it shows
- Family structure, marriages, divorces, births, deaths, medical history, and relational patterns across generations
- Notation
- McGoldrick & Gerson (1985) — squares for males, circles for females, horizontal lines for partnerships, vertical lines for children
- Primary use
- Family therapy, child welfare, intergenerational pattern identification, medical history
- Tool
- GenogramAI (companion app)
When to use each
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an ecomap and a genogram together?
Yes — they're complementary. The genogram shows the intergenerational family structure and history; the ecomap shows the present-day ecological context. Together they give the most complete clinical picture. Many family systems practitioners routinely create both for each case.
Is an ecomap part of a genogram?
No. They're separate tools. An ecomap places a person or family at the center and maps outward to surrounding social systems. A genogram maps backward and sideways through family generations. They use different notation systems and serve different assessment purposes.
Which should I create first — the ecomap or the genogram?
There's no fixed order. Some practitioners start with the genogram to understand family history, then map the ecomap to see the present ecological context. Others start with the ecomap at intake to quickly understand the current situation, then add the genogram as the relationship deepens. Follow your assessment protocol.
Do social workers need both?
Not always. The ecomap is particularly useful for ecological systems assessment, case management, and community-based practice. The genogram is more central to family therapy, child welfare, and intergenerational pattern work. Many practitioners use one or the other depending on their setting and presenting concern.
Which app should I use for each?
Ecomap Creator (this app) is built for ecomaps with Hartman-standard notation. For genograms, GenogramAI is the companion app by the same developer — it uses McGoldrick and Gerson notation for family mapping. Both are available for iPad.
Start with the ecomap
Ecomap Creator for iPad — Hartman notation, templates, and PDF export built in. 7-day free trial.
Need a genogram too? GenogramAI is the companion app for family mapping.
Download Ecomap Creator for iPad