Genealogy, Psychology and Therapy

In Genealogy, Psychology and Therapy (2nd Edition), Paula Nicolson examines how researching family history shapes identity development and emotional wellbeing. Published by Routledge, this volume demonstrates how searching through ancestral lineage offers structured pathways for understanding personal psychological background and historical family relationships.

The book applies narrative therapy approaches alongside real-life family examples to examine the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Through these individual cases, Nicolson details specific psychological and social themes, including attachment dynamics, abandonment, personal loss, health inequalities, and long-term financial uncertainty.

Across 152 pages featuring 23 black and white illustrations, the volume explains how combining psychological methods with genealogical evidence, including archival databases, family stories, photographs, and DNA records, can promote resilience and emotional repair. The text provides guidance for genealogists, people researching their own family tree, and practicing counsellors.