A genogram reveals its full power only when understood through concrete examples. Abstract symbols come to life the moment you see how a blended family, a migration family or a clinical multi-generational genogram actually looks. This article presents six typical family structures – from simple to complex – and explains what each example teaches.

Genogramm einer Kleinfamilie mit Eltern und zwei Kindern
Kleinfamilie — der Standardfall mit zwei Generationen.

What a Good Genogram Example Must Achieve

Genogram examples are more than illustrations. They are learning tools: they show which symbols are meaningful in which context, how relationship lines convey qualities, and how generations are arranged clearly. A good example always displays structure, relationships, and at least one professionally relevant feature.

The six examples below are arranged in order of increasing complexity. They cover the most common family constellations encountered in therapy, counselling and social work.

Drei-Generationen-Standard-Genogramm mit Großeltern, Eltern und Geschwistern
Drei-Generationen-Standard — der typische Fall in Beratung und Therapie.

Six Genogram Examples from Practice

Each example describes the family structure, the symbols used and the professional insights gained:

Patchwork-Familien-Genogramm mit Stiefkindern und mehreren Partnerschaften
Patchwork mit Stiefkindern — moderne Familienform vollständig dokumentiert.

Example 1: The Nuclear Family

Two parents (married), three children in order of age from left to right. This basic example shows the fundamental structure: partnership line at the top, children's line below, parents centred above the children. Ideal as an introduction to symbols and arrangement principles.

Example 2: The Blended Family

One parent brings children from a previous relationship, as does the other. The divorced or separated partnership is shown with the appropriate line (// or //X). The example illustrates how loyalties and half-sibling relationships become readable in the genogram.

Example 3: Three-Generation Genogram

Grandparents (generation 1), parents (generation 2), children (generation 3) on three horizontal levels. Here it becomes visible how patterns persist across generations – such as professions, illnesses or relationship qualities. Particularly valuable in systemic therapy.

Example 4: Clinical Genogram (Psychiatric Context)

A family with recurring mental health conditions across two generations. Symbols for disorders (e.g. hatched segments) show clustering and inheritance patterns. This example is especially relevant in clinical diagnostics and psychiatry.

Example 5: Migration Family

A family whose members live in different countries or have migrated multiple times. Places of birth and residence, languages and cultural identities can be added as notes. The genogram helps make acculturation stress, separations and transnational family dynamics visible.

Example 6: Multi-Generational Genogram (4 Generations)

Four generations with recurring patterns: addiction, early losses or relationship breakdowns. This complex example shows how vertical stressors (transgenerational transmission) become visible in the genogram – a central concept in the work of Murray Bowen and Monica McGoldrick.

What You Learn from Examples

Each genogram example sharpens your eye for specific aspects of family work:

  • Symbol discipline: Consistent use of symbols makes genograms comparable and readable.
  • Relationship qualities: The line types (close, conflictual, distant) tell more than words.
  • Timeline: Dates (birth, marriage, death) transform the static image into a family history.
  • Pattern recognition: Recurring themes across generations only become visible as patterns in the genogram.

Creating Your Own Genograms – From Template to Practice Document

The examples in this article serve as a starting point for your own genograms. In practice it is advisable to begin with a suitable template and develop the genogram jointly with the family during the session – because the process of creation is often just as valuable as the finished result.

Tip: GenoEasy includes ready-made templates for all six family structures shown here. Open the app, select "New Template" and adapt the genogram in dialogue with your client.

Digital genograms have a decisive advantage: they can be updated, expanded and securely saved at any time – without the need to redraw. This saves time and allows the family history to remain vivid throughout the entire therapy or counselling process.

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McGoldrick genogram symbol reference, circular-questions cards and more — free by email. Optionally with the monthly GenoEasy newsletter.

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