How to Make a Genogram
Create professional family diagrams in 5 simple steps. Whether you're a therapist, social worker, or exploring your family history, this guide covers everything you need.
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What You'll Need
Information to Gather
- Names of family members (3+ generations)
- Birth dates and death dates
- Marriage and divorce dates
- Medical conditions and causes of death
- Significant life events
- Relationship quality notes
Tools (Choose One)
- GenogramAI (recommended)
Free, AI-powered, web-based
- Pen and paper
Traditional method, good for learning
- Drawing software
Illustrator, Figma, or similar
- Word processor
Using shapes and lines
Essential Genogram Symbols
Before you start, familiarize yourself with these basic symbols:
Male
Square shape
Female
Circle shape
Unknown
Diamond shape
Deceased
X through symbol
Pro Tip
GenogramAI automatically applies the correct symbols when you add family members. You don't need to memorize these—just describe your family and the AI handles the rest.
5 Steps to Create a Genogram
Gather Family Information
Start by collecting information about your family members. Focus on at least three generations: yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. The more information you have, the more valuable your genogram will be.
Information checklist:
- Full names
- Birth dates
- Death dates (if applicable)
- Marriage dates
- Divorce dates
- Medical conditions
- Occupations
- Significant events
Start with the Index Person
The index person (also called the identified patient or IP) is the central focus of your genogram—usually yourself or the person you're creating the genogram for. Draw them in the center of your canvas.
Male index person
(double outline or arrow)
Female index person
(double outline or arrow)
Add Family Members & Structural Relationships
Build outward from the index person. Add parents above, siblings on either side, and children below. Follow these standard genogram rules:
Couple placement
Male on the left, female on the right, connected by a horizontal line
Children order
Oldest on the left, youngest on the right, connected to parents by vertical lines
Marriage line
Single horizontal line connecting partners
Add Emotional Relationships
This is what makes genograms more powerful than simple family trees. Add lines between any two people to show the quality of their emotional relationship:
Warm, supportive bond
Hostile, argumentative
Emotionally disconnected
No contact, estranged
Add Medical & Additional Information
Enhance your genogram with relevant details that reveal patterns across generations:
Medical Information
- • Chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease)
- • Mental health conditions
- • Substance abuse history
- • Cause of death
- • Genetic conditions
Other Details
- • Occupation and education
- • Geographic location
- • Cultural/religious background
- • Significant life events
- • Adoption or foster status
The Easy Way: Create a Genogram with AI
Instead of manually drawing symbols and lines, let AI do the work. GenogramAI creates professional genograms from simple text descriptions.
1. Describe Your Family
Type a description like "My parents John and Mary have three kids: me (Sarah), my brother Tom, and sister Lisa"
2. AI Generates It
Our AI creates the genogram with proper symbols, positioning, and relationship lines
3. Refine & Add Details
Click to add emotional relationships, medical history, and additional family members
No account required to start
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ Wrong gender placement
✓ Males always go on the left, females on the right in couple pairs
✗ Children out of order
✓ Oldest child on the left, youngest on the right
✗ Missing the index person
✓ Always clearly mark who the genogram centers on
✗ Confusing close vs fused
✓ Close (2 lines) is healthy; Fused (3 lines) indicates enmeshment
✗ Forgetting deceased markers
✓ Always add X through the symbol for deceased family members
✗ Inconsistent generations
✓ Keep each generation on the same horizontal level
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make a genogram?
A basic three-generation genogram takes 30-60 minutes. More detailed genograms with emotional relationships and medical history can take 2-3 hours. Using AI-powered tools like GenogramAI can reduce this to 5-10 minutes.
What information do I need to create a genogram?
At minimum, you need names, genders, and basic relationships (marriages, parent-child). For a comprehensive genogram, gather birth/death dates, divorces, medical conditions, emotional relationship patterns, and significant life events.
Can I make a genogram online for free?
Yes, GenogramAI offers free online genogram creation with AI assistance. You can create professional genograms without downloading any software, and export them as PNG, PDF, or JSON.
What is the difference between a genogram and a family tree?
A family tree shows biological relationships (who is related to whom). A genogram includes additional layers: emotional relationships (close, distant, conflicted), medical history, behavioral patterns, and other clinical information using standardized symbols.
How many generations should a genogram include?
A standard genogram includes three generations: the index person, their parents, and their grandparents. However, you can extend it further if you have relevant information about great-grandparents or earlier generations.
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