What is an ecomap?
An ecomap (ecological map) is a diagram of a family's relationships with the world outside it. It was developed by Ann Hartman in 1975 for social work practice and is used alongside the genogram: the genogram shows who is in the family across generations, the ecomap shows what supports or stresses the family right now.
Ecomap symbols
- Strong connection: three parallel lines (or one thick line). A resource the family relies on.
- Moderate connection: a single solid line.
- Tenuous connection: a dashed line. Weak, irregular or uncertain contact.
- Stressful connection: a line crossed by hatch marks. Contact that causes strain.
- Energy flow: arrows show whether resources and effort flow toward the family, away from it, or both ways.
How to make an ecomap
- Write the household in the center circle: family name and each member.
- Add a circle for every system the family deals with: school, work, extended family, health care, faith community, friends, recreation, social services, courts.
- Choose the quality of each connection: strong, moderate, tenuous or stressful.
- Add the direction of energy flow, and name the family member when a connection belongs to one person.
- Export it with the key and add it to your assessment or assignment.
Ecomap vs genogram
A genogram maps relationships inside the family over at least three generations. An ecomap maps the family's present-day connections to outside systems. Assessments often include both; you can make the genogram in the genogram editor.