Family Mapping
Before internship, I had not thought about clients in the context of their families and the larger community. Knowing the dynamics, stressors, coping skills, and strengths of the client’s family can help therapists know how to best serve the client. When the client’s family feels that their priorities and goals are understood, it can help build rapport and keep the lines of communication open. Open communication is important to make sure there is consistency between home, school, and other therapies.
Some therapists create visual family maps for their clients. Family maps can show not only outside resources such as extended family, friends, support services, or even hobbies, but also dynamics between immediate family members. Here’s an example of a family map from Bennett:
When I learned about family mapping, I wondered, Do I need to draw an elaborate diagram for every child I work with? When and how do I gather this information without interrogating parents? However, I learned that most music therapists create informal family maps gradually as families disclose more information about their lives.
I was most surprised to learn from Bennett’s (2007) writing that families tend to have stronger connections with informal support than formal support. Informal support includes extended family, friends, neighbors, faith community, etc. During a challenge or crisis, families will usually reach out to their informal support system first. Formal support includes teachers, doctors, therapists, and other professionals assisting the family. Formal support, such as a child’s teacher, tends to change more frequently than informal support, such as extended family.
I learned that family mapping is not necessarily another step to do during assessment or reevaluation of clients, but another lens through which to see the client, their family, and their larger network of support. I find that piecing together informal family maps helps me see the bigger, holistic picture of my clients, their need areas, and their overall functioning, which helps me be a more effective music therapist.
– Molly, Music Therapy Intern
