Genogram example · Academic & teaching
Basic 3-Generation Template
Quick answer
At a glance
| This example | |
|---|---|
| Generations | 3 |
| Family members | 10 (6 male, 4 female) |
| Birth years | 1938 to 2002 |
| Deceased | 1 |
| Index person | Emily Clark |
| Category | Academic & teaching |
| Tags | Academic, Educational |
About this genogram
A clean, simple three-generation genogram template designed for teaching basic genogram construction. Features grandparents, parents, and three children with standard symbols, straightforward relationship lines, and minimal clinical content. Ideal as a student or beginner reference for learning genogram notation conventions, layout principles, and fundamental family mapping skills.
Pattern analysis
Overview
This 3-generation genogram maps 10 family members with birth years spanning from 1938 to 2002, comprising 6 males and 4 females (1 deceased). The index patient is Emily Clark (b. 1995), marketing coordinator.
Generation by generation
The family system encompasses 3 generations with distinct patterns at each level. The oldest generation includes Robert, Dorothy, Henry and 1 other. The middle generation includes Susan, Thomas, William. The youngest generation includes Emily, James, Daniel.
Teaching use
As a teaching resource, this genogram demonstrates standard McGoldrick–Gerson notation in a realistic family context. Students can practice identifying key patterns: multigenerational transmission, family life cycle stages, and the interplay between structural relationships and emotional processes. This example serves as a foundation for understanding how genograms organize complex family information into a clinically useful visual format.
How do you read the Basic 3-Generation Template genogram?
- 1
Find each person and generation
Squares are males and circles are females, and each row is one generation, oldest at the top. This one has 6 males and 4 females across 3 generations. - 2
Check the status markers
Markers on a symbol add facts about that person: Deceased (X) and Index Patient (Arrow). 1 person is marked deceased. The index person, the focus of the assessment, is Emily Clark. - 3
Follow the family lines
Horizontal lines join partners and vertical lines drop to their children, born left to right in birth order. This genogram uses Marriage and Parent-Child lines.
Genogram symbols used in this example
| Symbol | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Male (Square) | Person Symbols | A square represents a male family member in standard genogram notation. |
| Female (Circle) | Person Symbols | A circle represents a female family member in standard genogram notation. |
| Deceased (X) | Status Markers | An X drawn through the symbol indicates the person is deceased. |
| Index Patient (Arrow) | Status Markers | An arrow pointing to a person identifies them as the index patient — the individual who is the focus of the clinical assessment. |
| Marriage | Structural Relationships | A solid horizontal line connecting two individuals represents a marriage or committed partnership. |
| Parent-Child | Structural Relationships | A vertical line descending from a couple line to a child symbol represents a parent-child relationship. |
Build a genogram like this one
Example prompt
- 1
Start from the dashboard
Sign in to GenogramAI and choose Create with AI (paid plans), or open a blank genogram and use Ask AI (any plan). To start from this exact chart instead, use Open as template. - 2
Describe your family
Paste a description like the one above, with your own names, dates, relationships and health history. - 3
Check and adjust
Edit people and lines by hand, or ask the AI for one change at a time. - 4
Export
Download a PNG on the free plan. PDF and SVG export are on paid plans.
The free plan includes 2 genograms and 5 AI credits a month. See the AI genogram creator for what else it can do.
Related resources
- Use this example as a reference for genogram assignments in family therapy courses.
- Our guide for genograms for psychology students explains the notation used in this example.
- Start with simple genogram examples if you are new to genogram notation.
- The deceased symbol (X through the shape) marks family members who have passed away.
- The marriage symbol connects partnered individuals in this genogram.
Frequently asked questions
What clinical patterns does the Basic 3-Generation Template genogram reveal?
The Basic 3-Generation Template genogram maps multigenerational transmission of psychological patterns, emotional dynamics, and relationship structures. Clinicians use it to identify recurring cycles of behavior, attachment styles, and communication patterns that may inform diagnosis and treatment planning in family therapy.
How can students use the Basic 3-Generation Template genogram?
Students can use the Basic 3-Generation Template genogram as a reference for learning genogram symbols, notation, and interpretation. It serves as a teaching template for family therapy courses, social work programs, and psychology classes.
What genogram symbols are used in the Basic 3-Generation Template example?
This genogram uses Male (Square), Female (Circle), Deceased (X), Index Patient (Arrow), Marriage and Parent-Child. All of them follow standard genogram notation, so the chart reads the same way in any genogram program or textbook.
Can I build a genogram like the Basic 3-Generation Template example?
Yes. Open GenogramAI, choose Create with AI on the dashboard (paid plans) or open a blank genogram and use Ask AI in the editor (any plan), and describe the family in plain words: who is in it, how they are related, key dates and the relationships or health conditions you want to show. The AI draws the symbols and lines, and you can then edit by hand or ask for one change at a time. A family of 10 people like this one takes a short paragraph to describe. The free plan includes 2 genograms and 5 AI credits a month, with PNG export.
About this example
