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How to Create a Free Attachment Genogram

A genogram is a pictorial representation of someone's pedigree or genealogy. It shows everyone related to you -- siblings, children, parents -- through as many generations as you wish to include. Genograms have standard symbols so that they're easy for medical professionals or professional genealogists to read. If you want patients or clients to make a genogram before coming to your office, you can include an attachment of a genogram template on your website or in an email for them to print out and use. Creating this genogram template is a simple process.

Things You'll Need

Graphics editing software

Instructions

- 1
  Open a graphics editing program such as Adobe Illustrator or GIMP. Microsoft Office 2008 or higher or the latest version of OpenOffice works as well, because they feature drawing tools advanced enough for creating a genogram template.
- 2
  Create a legend on top of the document so users know how to create a genogram. The legend has to include the following items: a square representing a male; a circle representing a female; a question mark representing an unknown gender; a square connected to the family line by tic marks representing an adopted child; a square connected by dots representing a foster child; and a line that touches the family line at the same point, representing twins. Other genogram symbols include a diamond, which represents a pet, and cross-out lines, which represent divorces and miscarriages.
- 3
  Draw a small version of an example genogram near the legend to illustrate how the symbols work. For example, in a family with a married husband and wife and two sons, the genogram would show a square and circle at the same level, a bracket connecting them and two squares below them attached by another bracket.
- 4
  Include instructions for the user about what you want him to do with the genogram, such as to fill out with first- and second-generation information and print it to bring to your office.
- 5
  Save the file with an easily recognizable name, such as "GenogramTemplate."
- 6
  Attach the genogram template to your emails by selecting the "attach" button on your email provider interface and browsing for the genogram file you made. If you want to embed the file on your website, upload it first to the Internet using an FTP (File Transfer Protocal) application like FileZilla or Free FTP, copy the link address, and include the link address in a link on your web page.

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