The Ethical Genogram: A Tool for Helping Therapists Understand their Ethical Decision-Making Styles

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to address the underlying emotional factors that contribute to therapists’ difficulties in making decisions in accordance with ethical codes as well as introduce a mechanism for assessing the family-of-origin dynamics that shape therapists’ ethical decision-making processes. The ethical genogram can allow therapists to gain insights into the emotionally driven forces that can lead to difficulty making tough ethical decisions. Using the ethical genogram may help guide supervisees as they wrestle with ethical questions and develop their ethical decision-making skills. Suggestions for using the ethical genogram in training and supervision are included.