Lifemaps
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should have a working knowledge of how to construct and use a lifemap.
Each individual's journey through life is different. It is never a straightforward path, but one that features several twists and turns as people experience emotional highs and lows. A lifemap provides an illustrative account of these significant moments and can be a useful tool to understand the previous experience of a service user and the events that have led them to where they are today.
Though originally developed for use with children in care settings, the lifemap exercise can also be very useful with other service user groups, including adults and older people.
This quick guide features some simple instructions on how to construct a lifemap, and a practice example.
Reflective Questions
- What do you think the benefits are of using a lifemap, for both the service user, and the social worker?
- Are there any potential challenges of using lifemaps?
- Do you think you might have to adapt the lifemap exercise for use with different service user groups?
- How might you sensitively begin to discuss events that the service user has chosen not to include on the lifemap?