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Ecomap Template
A blank template you can download and fill in, plus completed examples for social work, family, and nursing contexts.
The Blank Ecomap Template
The blank template has a center circle, six outer circles, and a key with the standard line types.
Fill in the center with the person or family name, label each outer circle with an external system, connect them with the appropriate line type, and add directional arrows. Add a date when done.
Download the image and fill it in digitally, trace it on paper, or use it as a reference while building your own version in any diagramming tool.
For a full guide to completing each step, see how to create an ecomap.
How to Use a Template
- Fill in the center: write the subject’s name inside the center circle.
- Label the outer circles: one per significant external system; only include systems that are currently relevant.
- Draw the connecting lines: solid for strong, dashed for weak, zigzag for stressful. For a full reference, see the ecomap symbols guide.
- Add directional arrows: mark which way support flows on each connection.
- Add the date: ecomaps are snapshots; the date anchors the diagram to a specific point in time.
FAQ
Where can I find a free ecomap template?
The blank template on this page is free to download.
What should an ecomap template include?
An ecomap template needs a large center circle for the person or family, smaller outer circles for external systems, and a key listing the line types. The key and date are required on any submitted or clinical ecomap.
Can I get a blank ecomap template PDF?
The blank template image on this page can be saved and printed directly as a PDF from your browser. Right-click the image, save it to your device, and open it in any PDF viewer or image editor to print or fill in digitally.
Is there a free ecomap template for Word?
Word can be used to build a basic ecomap using Insert → Shapes, but it requires manual drawing of each element. The blank template on this page is faster to work with than building one in Word from scratch.
Is there a social work ecomap template?
The blank template on this page works for any context. For social work specifically, the ecomap example in the social work article on Qwoach has three completed examples; child welfare, mental health, and family assessment, that can be used as starting points.
When would I use an ecomap template instead of a genogram?
Use an ecomap template when you need to map the current external environment around a person or family; schools, employers, healthcare providers, housing, services, and support networks. If you need to compare the two tools directly, see [ecomap and genogram](https://qwoach.com/ecomap-and-genogram/).
Sources
- Diagrammatic assessment of family relationships. Social Casework, 59(8), 465–476.