Structural Maps

A structural map is an assessment tool that developed out the structural family therapy tradition in the mid- to late 20th century under the leadership of Salvador Minuchin. When creating a structural map, the therapist constructs a visual snapshot of a family at a particular point in time. Representing the therapist’s working hypothesis of a family’s recurring patterns of interaction, structural maps identify a family’s relationships, subsystems, boundaries, hierarchy, and distribution of power. This entry describes how structural maps aid counselors in obtaining a clearer understanding of family dynamics and enhance treatment planning in family counseling.