Blank template
Blank genogram template
Quick answer
Download the free blank genogram template
What is a blank genogram?
A blank genogram is an empty framework that follows standardized genogram conventions, ready for you to populate with your family's data. Think of it as the architectural blueprint before the building: the structure, spacing, and conventions are already established so you can focus entirely on the content.
Whether you're a therapist preparing for a client intake, a student completing a course assignment, or someone exploring their own family history, starting from a blank genogram template helps you follow the standard notation described by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson. This notation has been the most widely used convention since the 1980s, used across therapy, social work, nursing, and medicine.
Unlike a family tree, which simply shows who is related to whom, a genogram captures the quality of relationships, medical and mental health history, behavioral patterns, and emotional dynamics. Starting from a well-structured blank template ensures you leave room for all of these dimensions rather than running out of space after listing names and dates.
Why start blank instead of using a pre-filled template?
Which symbols do you need for a blank genogram?
| Symbol | Meaning | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Male | A square represents a male family member. | |
| Female | A circle represents a female family member. | |
| Unknown gender / non-binary | A diamond represents a family member whose gender is unknown or other; non-binary uses an arch (rounded top, flat bottom). | |
| Deceased | An X through any symbol indicates that person has died. Add the year of death if known. (A filled or shaded shape means something else in standard notation, such as a condition, so do not fill a shape to show a death.) | |
| Pregnancy / miscarriage | A triangle represents a pregnancy; a triangle with an X through it marks a miscarriage. A stillbirth is a half-size gender shape with an X. | |
| Couple / partnership | A horizontal line connecting two symbols indicates a partnership or marriage (dashed for cohabitation). |
What to include in your blank genogram
Family structure (Generation 1: grandparents)
- Maternal grandparents (names, birth/death years)
- Paternal grandparents (names, birth/death years)
- Marriage dates and any divorces or remarriages
- Number of children born to each couple
Family structure (Generation 2: parents)
- Parents and their siblings (names, birth years)
- Marriage/partnership dates and status
- Divorce, separation, or remarriage details
- Miscarriages, stillbirths, or adoptions
Family structure (Generation 3: you and siblings)
- Yourself and all siblings (names, birth years)
- Birth order (left to right, oldest to youngest)
- Current relationship status for each person
- Children of your generation if applicable
Symbols key and annotations
- Standard male/female/unknown gender symbols
- Deceased members marked with X
- Index person (client) identified with double border
- Twins, adopted members, or foster children noted
Relationship lines
- Marriage lines (solid horizontal lines)
- Divorce lines (slashes through marriage line)
- Emotional bonds (close, fused, distant, hostile, cutoff)
- Conflict patterns and alliances
Emotional and medical overlays
- Emotional relationship quality between key pairs
- Medical conditions or causes of death
- Mental health history (depression, anxiety, addiction)
- Behavioral patterns (abuse, neglect, codependency)
How to fill in a blank genogram
- 1
Start with yourself
Place your own symbol at the center-bottom of the genogram. This is your index person, the focal point. In GenogramAI, open the Blank Genogram card on the dashboard and add yourself first, or use Create with AI and describe the family in a few sentences. - 2
Add your parents
Draw your parents above you, connected by a horizontal marriage line with a vertical line descending to you and your siblings. Add birth years, marriage date, and note if divorced or separated. - 3
Extend to grandparents
Add both sets of grandparents above your parents. This gives you the critical three-generation view where patterns start to become visible: repeating marriages at certain ages, recurring health conditions, or similar family sizes. - 4
Add siblings, aunts, and uncles
Fill in the horizontal layer of each generation: your siblings, your parents' siblings, and their families. Place children left to right in birth order. Note any half-siblings, step-siblings, or adopted members. - 5
Map relationship lines
Now add the emotional layer. Draw relationship lines between key pairs: close, distant, hostile, enmeshed, or cutoff. This transforms your blank genogram from a simple family tree into a rich clinical or personal assessment tool. - 6
Annotate with key information
Add medical conditions, mental health history, occupations, significant life events, and behavioral patterns. Use the margins or a legend to keep annotations organized and readable.
Common mistakes when starting from a blank genogram
Not leaving enough space
Forgetting the index person
Inconsistent birth order
Only mapping structure, not relationships
Blank genogram vs. pre-filled template
| Blank genogram | Pre-filled template | |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Complete freedom to capture any family structure | Faster for standard nuclear families |
| Best for | Client intake sessions | Learning genogram notation |
| Family types | Accommodates non-traditional families | Shows correct symbol placement examples |
| Who it suits | People who know genogram conventions | Students and beginners |
Frequently asked questions
What should I include in a blank genogram?
A complete genogram should include at least three generations, standard symbols for male (square) and female (circle) family members, relationship lines between partners, emotional relationship indicators, and key life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Adding medical conditions and behavioral patterns makes it even more useful for clinical or personal insight.
Can I start a genogram from scratch without any template?
Yes, but starting from a blank template saves significant time. A blank genogram template provides the correct structural framework — proper spacing for generations, standardized symbols, and relationship line conventions — so you can focus on entering your family data rather than designing the layout from scratch.
What is the difference between a blank genogram and a family tree template?
A family tree template only captures names, dates, and lineage. A blank genogram template includes space for emotional relationships, medical history, behavioral patterns, and standardized clinical symbols. Genograms are far more detailed and are used by therapists, social workers, and medical professionals for assessment purposes.
How many generations should my blank genogram include?
At minimum, three generations (grandparents, parents, and the current generation) are recommended. Three generations allow you to identify repeating patterns in relationships, health conditions, and behaviors. For deeper analysis, four or five generations provide even richer insights, though information may be harder to gather for earlier generations.
What software can I use to create a genogram from a blank template?
GenogramAI is purpose-built for creating genograms with AI assistance. Unlike generic diagramming tools, GenogramAI understands genogram conventions, offers 64 relationship types (including 39 emotional relationship lines), and can build a genogram from a plain-language description. You can start from the Blank Genogram card on the dashboard and have a complete, professional genogram in minutes.
Where can I download a blank genogram template?
This page links a free blank 3-generation genogram template as a printable PDF and as an editable PowerPoint file. More templates (family therapy, social work, medical family history) are on the genogram templates page.