Complete Genogram Guide
Master the art of creating professional genograms with our comprehensive guide to symbols, relationships, and clinical standards based on McGoldrick & Gerson's methodology.
What is a Genogram?
A genogram is a graphic representation of a family tree that displays detailed data on relationships among individuals. It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize hereditary patterns, psychological factors, and relationship dynamics within a family.
Developed by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson in 1985, genograms are widely used across multiple professional fields:
Gender Symbols
Genograms use standardized shapes to represent individuals based on gender identity.
Male
Square
A square represents a male individual
Female
Circle
A circle represents a female individual
Transgender Male
Square + Circle
Square with inner circle
Transgender Female
Circle + Square
Circle with inner square
Unknown/Non-Binary
Diamond
A rotated square represents unknown or non-binary gender
Status Indicators
Visual modifications to shapes indicate an individual's life status.
Alive
Normal shape
Standard shape without modifications
Deceased
X through shape
Diagonal line through the symbol, optional death dates
Pregnancy
Small triangle
Indicates current pregnancy
Miscarriage
Small X symbol
Indicates pregnancy loss
Structural Relationships
Different line styles indicate various types of legal and family relationships.
Marriage
Solid double line
Cohabitation
Dashed line
Engagement
Dotted line
Dating
Light dotted line
Life Partner
Solid single line
Divorce
Double line + two slashes
Separation
Double line + single slash
Widowed
Double line + X
Parent-Child
Orthogonal vertical line
Emotional Relationships
Emotional relationship lines visualize the quality and dynamics of relationships between family members. These are overlaid on top of structural relationships.
Close
Double green line
Positive, close relationship
Fused
Triple green line
Enmeshed, overly close
Distant
Dotted orange line
Emotionally distant
Estranged
Broken line
Cut off, no contact
Conflict
Zigzag red line
Hostile, conflictual
Fused-Conflict
Triple zigzag
Close but conflictual
Abuse
Arrow line
Abusive dynamic
Neglect
Wavy line
Neglectful relationship
Control
Arrow double line
Controlling dynamic
Medical History Tracking
Medical conditions are tracked using color-coded badges and indicators within or beside each person's symbol.
Condition Indicators
Cultural Heritage Patterns
Fill patterns within symbols indicate cultural heritage or ethnicity. Combined with text labels, they provide rich context about family backgrounds.
Horizontal
Vertical
Diagonal Right
Diagonal Left
Crosshatch
Dots
Waves
Braid
Checkerboard
Zigzag
Diamonds
Pattern Colors
Patterns can be rendered in multiple colors: Black, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, and Purple. This allows for distinguishing multiple heritage lines within the same genogram.
Religious Indicators
Religious affiliation is displayed using standardized icons near each person's symbol.
Christianity
Cross
Judaism
Star of David
Islam
Crescent Moon
Buddhism
Dharma Wheel
Hinduism
Om
Sikhism
Khanda
Spiritual
Sparkles
None/Atheist
Minus
Location Tracking
Geographic information helps track migration patterns and current locations. GenogramAI supports 50+ countries with flag icons and structured location data.
Location Data Structure
- Country (with ISO 2-letter code)
- State/Province
- City
- Country flag badge display
Best Practices
Start with the Index Person
Begin your genogram with the person of primary focus (the index person or main subject) and work outward from there. This creates a clear organizational center.
Include at Least Three Generations
For a comprehensive view, include grandparents, parents, and children. More generations provide richer context for identifying patterns.
Maintain Consistent Spacing
Keep siblings evenly spaced and generations aligned horizontally for clarity and readability. GenogramAI's layout engine handles this automatically.
Add Dates and Ages
Include birth years, death years, and ages at significant events to create a timeline of family history and identify age-related patterns.
Document All Relationship Types
Don't just show marriages—include divorces, separations, and emotional relationships to give a complete picture of family dynamics.
Update Regularly
Genograms are living documents. Update them as new information becomes available or circumstances change within the family.
Professional Use Cases
See how genograms are applied in different professional contexts.
Family Therapy
Track relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and emotional bonds across generations. Identify recurring patterns of conflict, enmeshment, or cutoff.
- Emotional overlays
- Multi-generational patterns
- Attachment analysis
Medical Assessment
Identify hereditary conditions, genetic risks, and health patterns in family history. Essential for genetic counseling and preventive care.
- Medical condition tracking
- Hereditary pattern analysis
- Risk assessment
Social Work
Document family structures, support systems, and potential risk factors. Create comprehensive assessments for case planning.
- Family structure mapping
- Resource identification
- Risk factors
Genealogy Research
Map family trees with detailed biographical and historical information. Track migration patterns and cultural heritage.
- Migration tracking
- Cultural heritage
- Historical context
Ready to Create Your Genogram?
Use GenogramAI to create professional genograms in minutes with AI assistance.
Start Creating
Socioeconomic Class
Social class indicators provide context about family economic circumstances across generations.
Upper
Upper-Middle
Middle
Working
Poverty