The Uses of Emotion Maps in Research and Clinical Practice with Families and Couples: Methodological Innovation and Critical Inquiry

• Published in: Family process 2015-03, Vol.54 (1), p.185-197
• Main Authors: Gabb, Jacqui, Singh, Reenee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Child; Children; Clinical Practice; Clinical psychology; Couples; Couples Therapy - methods; Emotion Maps; Emotions; estudios familiares; familias; Family - psychology; Family counseling; Family Relations; Family Relations - psychology; Family Relationships; Family Systemic Psychotherapy; Family Therapy - methods; Humans; Literacy; mapas de las emociones; métodos visuales; Parents; práctica clínica; Psychological Techniques; Psychotherapy; relaciones de pareja; Skills; Visual Methods; Youth; 临床实践; 可视方法; 夫妇关系; 家庭; 家庭研究; 情感地图
• ISSN: 0014-7370; 1545-5300
• DOI: 10.1111/famp.12096

We explore how “emotion maps” can be productively used in clinical assessment and clinical practice with families and couples. This graphic participatory method was developed in sociological studies to examine everyday family relationships. Emotion maps enable us to effectively “see” the dynamic experience and emotional repertoires of family life. Through the use of a case example, in this article we illustrate how emotion maps can add to the systemic clinicians’ repertoire of visual methods. For clinicians working with families, couples, and young people, the importance of gaining insight into how lives are lived, at home, cannot be understated. Producing emotion maps can encourage critical personal reflection and expedite change in family practice. Hot spots in the household become visualized, facilitating dialogue on prevailing issues and how these events may be perceived differently by different family members. As emotion maps are not reliant on literacy or language skills they can be equally completed by parents and children alike, enabling children's perspective to be heard. Emotion maps can be used as assessment tools, to demonstrate the process of change within families. Furthermore, emotion maps can be extended to use through technology and hence are well suited particularly to working with young people. We end the article with a wider discussion of the place of emotions and emotion maps within systemic psychotherapy. Analizamos cómo los “mapas de las emociones” pueden utilizarse productivamente en la evaluación clínica y la práctica clínica con familias y parejas. Este método participativo gráfico se desarrolló en estudios sociológicos para examinar las relaciones familiares cotidianas. Los mapas de las emociones nos permiten “ver” eficazmente la experiencia dinámica y los repertorios emocionales de la vida familiar. Mediante el uso de un caso como ejemplo, en este artículo demostramos cómo los mapas de las emociones pueden contribuir al repertorio de métodos visuales de los clínicos sistémicos. Para los clínicos que trabajan con familias, parejas y personas jóvenes, la importancia de comprender cómo se vive la vida en el hogar no puede minimizarse. La creación de mapas de las emociones puede fomentar la reflexión crítica personal y acelerar el cambio en la práctica familiar. Las zonas conflictivas del hogar se visualizan, facilitando el diálogo sobre las cuestiones prevalecientes y las maneras en las que diferentes miembros de la familia pueden