Ecomap tutorial
How to create an ecomap
A step-by-step guide to Hartman-standard ecomap notation — from placing the central person to drawing connection lines and interpreting what the map reveals.
What is an ecomap?
An ecomap is a visual diagram developed by social work pioneer Ann Hartman in 1975. It places a person or family at the center and maps their relationships to the surrounding social systems — school, work, healthcare, family, faith, community, and government agencies.
Unlike a genogram (which maps family history across generations), an ecomap maps the present-day ecological context. The connections show not just which systems exist, but the quality of each relationship and the direction of resource or energy flow — making it a powerful tool for identifying isolation, depletion, and untapped strengths.
Ecomap line styles
The Hartman notation standard used by social workers, therapists, and nurses worldwide.
Step-by-step: creating an ecomap
Place the central person or family
Draw a circle in the center of your page or canvas. Write the person's name (or 'Smith Family' for a household) inside. Include age and relevant demographic details. This is the focal unit of the ecomap — all connections will radiate outward from here.
Identify the surrounding systems
Think through the ecological rings: immediate household, extended family, school or university, workplace, healthcare providers, mental health services, government agencies, religious or faith community, social/friend network, financial systems, and any other relevant systems. Draw a circle for each one and label it. Size the circle to show prominence in the person's life.
Draw the connections
Draw a line between the central circle and each surrounding system that the person has a relationship with. Use Hartman line styles to show connection quality: thick solid line = strong and supportive; thin solid line = weak or tenuous; hashed line = stressful; jagged or zigzag line = conflictual. A broken or absent line means no current connection.
Add energy-flow arrows
Add arrow tips to each connection line to show the direction of resource or energy flow: an arrow pointing toward the center means the system gives resources to the person; an arrow pointing outward means the person gives more than they receive; double-headed arrows mean mutual exchange. This often reveals which relationships are depleting vs. sustaining.
Add notes and context
Write brief notes near each connection or system to capture important context — the name of the caseworker, how long a relationship has existed, a recent change, or a barrier to engagement. Don't over-annotate; the visual tells most of the story.
Review and interpret
Step back and read the completed map. Look for: isolation (few connections), stress concentration (multiple stressful/conflictual lines in one area), depletion (most arrows point away from the center), and untapped strengths (strong connections that aren't being used). These patterns guide case planning.
System categories to consider
Household & Family
- • Immediate household
- • Extended family
- • Co-parenting relationships
- • Kinship network
Education
- • School / university
- • Teachers & advisors
- • Special education
- • Tutoring / coaching
Work & Income
- • Employer / workplace
- • Unemployment services
- • Financial aid
- • Government benefits
Health & Mental Health
- • Primary care provider
- • Mental health clinician
- • Hospital / emergency
- • Substance use services
Community & Social
- • Friends & peers
- • Religious / faith community
- • Cultural community
- • Civic groups
Government & Legal
- • Child protective services
- • Court / probation
- • Immigration
- • Housing authority
Frequently asked questions
What is an ecomap?
An ecomap is a visual diagram that places a person or family at the center and maps their relationships to the surrounding social systems — school, work, healthcare, family, faith, and community. Developed by Ann Hartman in 1975, ecomaps are widely used in social work, family therapy, and nursing to assess a client's ecological context.
What symbols are used in an ecomap?
The standard Hartman notation uses circles or boxes for systems and different line styles to show the quality of each connection: a thick solid line for strong, a thin line for weak, a hashed line for stressful, and a jagged line for conflictual. Arrows on the lines show the direction of resource or energy flow.
How is an ecomap different from a genogram?
A genogram maps family relationships and health history across generations (vertically through time). An ecomap maps the present-day ecological context around a person or family (outward into the surrounding social world). They're complementary — many clinicians use both.
How long does it take to create an ecomap?
A completed ecomap with 6-10 systems typically takes 10-20 minutes. The first one takes longer as you learn the notation; subsequent ecomaps are faster, especially with templates.
Can I create an ecomap on an iPad?
Yes. Ecomap Creator is a native iPad app with Hartman-standard notation built in. It's faster than drawing by hand and produces a clean, exportable diagram. Download from the App Store with a 7-day free trial.
Build your first ecomap in minutes
Ecomap Creator for iPad has Hartman notation built in. No drawing by hand — just place, connect, and export.
Download for iPad — free trial