What is a Genogram?
A genogram is like a family tree with depth. Beyond just names and dates, it maps out relationship patterns, emotional dynamics, and recurring themes across generations - helping you see how your family history shapes your present-day experiences.
Symbol Reference
Before you start building, here's what the shapes mean:
- Square - male family member
- Circle - female family member
- Diamond - gender unknown or unspecified
- X through shape - deceased
Relationship lines:
- Solid line - parent-child connection
- Thick solid line - marriage or committed partnership
- Solid + dashed line - separation or divorce
- Dashed line - emotional or informal connection
- Double line - close relationship
- Zigzag line - conflict or tension
- Line with bars - cutoff (no contact)
- Triple line - enmeshed or overly involved relationship
Build Your Genogram
Double-click any name to edit it. Drag between connection points to draw relationship lines. Use the toolbar to add family members and choose relationship types.
Select a person to mark them as deceased, add birth and death years, or jot down notes. Select a relationship line to change its type. Your work saves automatically - use Save as File in the menu to download a copy, or Load from File to restore one.
Reading Your Genogram
Once you've mapped out your family, sit with it for a moment. Consider:
- What patterns repeat? Do you notice similar relationship dynamics showing up across generations?
- Where is the closeness? Where is the distance? What might that tell you about how your family handles connection?
- What roles do people play? Caretaker, peacekeeper, black sheep - do these roles get passed down?
- What hasn't been talked about? Sometimes the most important information is in the gaps.
Further Reading
If you want to go deeper into genograms and family systems work:
- You Can Go Home Again by Monica McGoldrick - A guide to understanding and reconnecting with your family, by one of the originators of the genogram as a clinical tool. Written for a general audience, not just therapists.
