Genogram

What is a genogram?

A genogram is a tool widely used in family therapy and social work. With a few simple symbols, it maps at least three generations of a family, the marriages and parent-child ties between them, and emotional connections such as closeness, distance and conflict. It grew out of Murray Bowen's family systems theory and was later standardized by Monica McGoldrick and colleagues. Seeing your family on one page often reveals patterns that are hard to notice day to day, such as a way of relating that repeats across generations.

How to use it

1. There are two ways to start: design your genogram freely in the diagram below, or describe your family in words and let AI draw it for you.
2. To use AI, describe your family in “Describe the family in words”: who is in it, roughly how old they are, who lives with whom and how everyone gets along. Cantonese, Chinese or English all work.
3. Select “Draw genogram” and AI will draw it using professional symbols. You can keep adding details, such as “add a younger brother who has no contact with Dad”, and select “Apply changes”.
4. Select any person or line to edit it, or drag people to adjust their position. When you're done, select “Download PNG” to keep a copy.

What to look for once it's drawn

• Repeating patterns: similar relationship situations, ways of relating or health issues across several generations.
• Triangles: whether tension between two people often pulls in a third person, such as a child.
• Cutoffs and distance: who you've lost touch with, and how that break affects other family members.
• Support and resources: who, inside and outside the family, is closest to you and most supportive.