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Genogram templates are available online or you can start from scratch and fill one out by hand. You can also purchase software programs designed specifically for creating genograms. The symbols act as a visual indicator of the information you gathered in your interviews. You can draw the standard genogram symbols by hand or by using the "draw" or "shapes" options in a word processing program. Males are indicated by a square. When indicating a marriage, position the male symbol to the left. Women are indicated by a circle. When indicating a marriage, position the female symbol to the right. A single horizontal line indicates marriage and two slanted lines separation. The oldest child is always below and to the left of his family, whereas the youngest should be below and to the right. Other available symbols help you describe family events such as pregnancy or miscarriage, illnesses and deaths. There is even a diamond symbol to represent pets. For example, you may decide to start your genogram with your grandparents or even your great grandparents. Genograms can be used to show the diversity in family relationships as well as patterns of illnesses. A genogram includes symbols to indicate family interactions such as conflict, closeness, estrangement, etc. Emotional relationships have specific symbols that help keep the flow of the genogram clear. There are also symbols that denote sexual and physical abuse as well as mental and physical disorders. Once you've made the genogram, look carefully to see what patterns can be identified. There may be hereditary patterns or particular psychological tendencies that are very noticeable when grouped together in this way. Be careful about making assumptions. The data is one thing, but avoid using it to confirm that your family has a particular disease, or mental issue. Talk to a medical professional about any potential for hereditary problems of this type. Avoid using the genogram to make assumptions about the motivations of family members as well, or using this to confront them. While you might find your aunt has a tendency to quit every job she has ever had while your cousin has always seemed to steal other people's boyfriends, it's not a good idea to use the genogram to "prove" your point that a family member needs psychoanalysis. Be very careful to avoid approaching your family members in a judgmental way as a result of making a genogram; talk to your family or personal counselor before proceeding to reach conclusions from a self-generated genogram. If you're writing up the family history, patterns established in a genogram can be very helpful as a way of explaining why ancestral family members left one geographical area for another, what sorts of relationship issues members had and may help to unearth other family members who were not officially recognized.
Design your genogram. Use standard genogram symbols to represent family members and relationships, both normal and dysfunctional. Organize the chart based on family interactions beginning with the oldest generation you want to represent at the top. Look for patterns.