How to use an ecomap template.
- 01Place the family at the center
The family or individual is the central node — all connections radiate outward from them.
- 02Add external systems and supports
Name formal services (healthcare, school, employment) and informal supports (family, friends, faith community) as outer nodes.
- 03Draw connection lines
Describe the nature of each connection: strong (thick line), weak (thin line), stressful (hatched), or one-directional (arrow).
- 04Use for assessment and planning
Export the eco map for case files or intervention planning — it shows where to strengthen or add supports.
Questions about ecomap templates
What is an eco map?
A social work assessment tool that shows a family or individual's connections to external systems — services, community resources, and relationships. Developed by Ann Hartman in 1975.
How is an eco map different from a genogram?
A genogram shows the internal family structure and relationships. An eco map shows the family's connections to the outside world. They are often used together in social work assessments.
What do the different line types mean?
Strong/positive connections: solid thick lines. Weak connections: thin lines. Stressful or conflicted connections: hatched or zigzag lines. One-directional flows (resources going only one way): arrows.