The Cultural Genogram: Key to Training Culturally Competent Family Therapists

Abstract

This chapter has been reprinted (with permission from the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy) from an article (1995, Vol. 21, No. 3, 227-237) by Kenneth V. Hardy, PhD and Tracey A. Laszloffy, PhD. 1 Training programs committed to the development of culturally competent family therapists must discover ways to raise cultural awareness and increase cultural sensitivity. While awareness involves gaining knowledge of various cultural groups, sensitivity involves having experiences that challenge individuals to explore their personal cultural issues. This chapter outlines how the cultural genogram can be used as an effective training tool to promote both cultural awareness and sensitivity.